SB 20 requires Alaska public schools to include hands-only CPR education in health classes for students in grades determined by the Department of Education. The bill mandates that the Department adopt age-appropriate curricula based on national emergency care guidelines, including hands-on practice and instruction on using automated external defibrillators (AEDs), which may use video demonstrations if in-person training isn't feasible. Schools must offer this instruction, and it can be taught by certified CPR instructors, EMTs, or teachers with a current teaching certificate. The law takes effect on August 25, 2025.
SB 83 requires health insurers in Alaska to reimburse telehealth services at the same rate and on the same basis as in-person care. This applies directly to health care insurers and providers offering telehealth services, including municipal health plans for government employees. The bill amends existing insurance codes to mandate this reimbursement parity and defines "telehealth" using current law. It does not create new programs but standardizes payment rates for existing telehealth services. The law would take effect immediately upon passage, repealing a prior effective date provision.
SB 103 requires Alaska's certified nurse aide training programs to cover 12 specific competencies, including safe care techniques, communication skills for diverse clients (such as those with dementia or cognitive disabilities), and methods to support client independence and dignity. The bill directly affects nurse aide training providers across Alaska by mandating these standardized curriculum requirements. Key provisions include training aides to recognize health changes, respect client choices, and provide dementia-specific care (defining "activities of daily living" as eating, dressing, grooming, bathing, and toileting). The requirements take effect January 1, 2026.
SB 41 requires Alaska public schools (K-12) to include mental health education in health curricula, mandating that school districts notify parents at least two weeks before any mental health instruction begins. It directs the state Board of Education to develop guidelines for age-appropriate mental health education in collaboration with health departments, tribal organizations, and mental health groups. The bill also expands existing health education requirements to explicitly include mental health topics and creates a state school health specialist position to coordinate curriculum development and teacher training. This directly affects all public school students, parents (who gain notification rights), and school districts tasked with implementing the new requirements.
HB 185 expands Alaska's Medicaid program to include family planning services and supplies for eligible residents. It specifically adds these services to the list of optional medical assistance benefits, making them available to individuals of child-bearing age who are not pregnant and have household incomes at or below 225% of the federal poverty line. The bill requires the Department of Health to amend the state Medicaid plan for federal approval and sets an effective date of January 1, 2026, contingent on approval from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This change directly affects low-income Alaskans seeking family planning care without pregnancy.
SB 133 sets strict timeframes for health insurance companies to process prior authorization requests for medical care and prescription drugs. It requires insurers to respond within 72 hours for standard requests (or 24 hours for urgent cases), provide clear reasons for denials, and automatically approve requests if they miss deadlines. The bill also mandates insurers make their prior authorization standards publicly available online and simplifies the process for healthcare providers. These rules directly affect insurers, healthcare providers, and patients seeking covered medical treatments in Alaska, effective January 1, 2027.
SB 147 expands pharmacists' authority in Alaska to independently prescribe and administer certain medications, including vaccines and opioid overdose drugs, without a doctor's direct order. It requires pharmacists to complete specific training programs (e.g., for epinephrine use or opioid overdose response) and register controlled substance prescriptions in a state database. The bill also updates licensing standards, including language fluency and program approval requirements for pharmacy schools, and clarifies the Board of Pharmacy's regulatory powers. These changes directly affect pharmacists (by broadening their clinical roles), patients (by increasing access to care), and the pharmacy board (by strengthening oversight).
HB 14 would repeal two medical assistance programs in Alaska: one providing coverage for catastrophic illnesses and another for chronic or acute medical conditions. The bill removes all references to these programs from state law by amending statutes related to medical assistance administration. This action would directly end eligibility for Alaskans currently enrolled in these specific healthcare assistance programs. The bill focuses solely on repealing the programs’ legal framework, not on creating new benefits or altering existing healthcare rules.
HB 148 requires health insurers in Alaska to offer non-network coverage options at initial enrollment, allowing consumers to choose out-of-network providers with potential higher costs (like deductibles or premiums). It also mandates clearer disclosure on prior authorization forms about how to request exceptions for out-of-network care and how claims will be processed. The bill extends the time limit for prosecuting life insurance-related offenses by up to 20 years beyond standard deadlines. These changes directly affect health insurance consumers, providers, and insurers by increasing transparency and options in coverage.
SB 121 establishes rules for how health insurance companies in Alaska set reimbursement rates for healthcare providers when no specific contract exists. It requires the state insurance director to set standards based on the 75th percentile of actual provider charges in the state (or higher), with primary care rates also needing to be at least 450% of Medicare's rates. Insurers must use statistically valid methods, apply rates uniformly, and undergo regular audits to ensure compliance. This directly affects health insurers and healthcare providers by standardizing payment calculations and preventing inconsistent or unfairly low reimbursements. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.
