AS 21.42.365 requires health care insurers that offer, issue
for delivery, deliver, or renew a health care insurance plan
in this state to provide coverage for treatment of alcohol
or drug abuse, subject to minimum benefit amounts specified
in AS 21.42.365(a). This statute applies to policies and group
subscriber contracts entered into or renewed on or after January
1, 1989.
Under AS 21.42.365 (b), the director is required to adjust
the minimum benefit amounts specified in AS 21.42.365(a) to
correspond to changes in the medical care component of the
consumer price index for all urban consumers in the Anchorage
Metropolitan Area compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
U.S. Department of Labor. I have determined that this medical
care component has increased by 18.2 percent and, therefore,
warrants an increase of the minimum benefit amounts in AS
21.42.365(a).
The Director Hereby Orders:
Effective January 1, 1999, the minimum benefit under AS 21.42.365
for coverage for treatment of alcohol or drug abuse is $11,350
over two consecutive benefit years and $22,700 lifetime benefits.
These minimum benefits apply to a policy with a benefit year
beginning during the calendar years 1999, 2000, and 2001.
DATED: May 5, 1999
