AlaskaCare retiree dental-vision-audio premiums rise Jan. 1 as enrollment opens Nov. 4

State retirees already enrolled in AlaskaCare's dental-vision-audio plans will pay more each month starting Jan. 1, 2027, the Division of Retirement and Benefits said Wednesday. Premiums rise for every coverage level in both the Standard and Legacy plans, which cover dental, vision and hearing care.

The division's annual open enrollment for the plans runs Nov. 4 to Nov. 25, closing at 5 pm Alaska Time. Retirees who take no action keep their current plan at the new rate. Retirees not currently enrolled in either plan cannot join.

During the window, enrolled retirees may switch between the Standard and Legacy plans or add eligible dependents to raise their coverage tier, such as moving from retiree-only to retiree-and-spouse coverage. Elections take effect Jan. 1, 2027. The division said these elections do not affect a retiree's medical benefits. As Alaska News reported Oct. 14, retirees could question the division about the plan and its open enrollment at an Oct. 15 town hall call.

For retirees in the state's Defined Benefit pension plans, the division's rate table shows retiree-only coverage rising to $83 a month in both plans, up from $77 in Standard and $80 in Legacy this year. Retiree-and-spouse coverage rises to $164, from $154 and $158. Retiree-and-children coverage rises to $148, from $140 and $143. Retiree-and-family coverage rises to $233, from $219 and $225.

A separate table applies to Defined Contribution retirees and to retirees who pay by direct bill. Their rates include a 2% administrative fee. Retiree-only coverage goes to $84.66, from $78.54 in Standard and $81.60 in Legacy, and retiree-and-spouse coverage to $167.28, from $157.08 and $161.16.

The division said premiums are subject to annual adjustments and are reviewed regularly to reflect claims experience and ensure the long-term sustainability of the plans.

Benefits themselves do not change in 2027, according to the 2027 DVA Open Enrollment Guide. The Standard plan pays up to $3,000 a year for dental care, and the Legacy plan pays up to $2,000. Hearing benefits in both plans are capped at $2,000 over a rolling 36-month period.

Enrollment is online only, at AlaskaCare.gov/DVA, during the enrollment window. Retirees who have technical trouble enrolling can contact the division's Member Education Center.

After the window closes, requests to increase coverage because of a qualifying life event must be submitted within 120 days of that event. Retirees can reduce their coverage at any time with a written request.