How to Apply for Medicare Savings Program in Alaska

Your parent qualifies for help paying Medicare premiums in Alaska — now you need to actually get the application filed. The process runs through the Division of Public Assistance, and there are three ways to submit.

Apply Online Through Alaska Connect

One option is Alaska Connect, the DPA client portal at alaskaconnect.ilinx.com. You'll need a myAlaska login first (register at my.alaska.gov), then link it to Alaska Connect.

The portal lets you complete the application and upload verification documents to DPA's ARIES processing system. If you're helping a parent from out of state, this gives you a way to submit documents online.

Upload available documents together: Social Security award letter, Medicare card showing Part A and Part B effective dates, one month of bank statements, and a photo ID. DPA may request additional verification, so respond promptly to any request.

Apply by Phone or Paper

Call the DPA Virtual Contact Center at 1-800-478-7778 (TDD/Alaska Relay: 7-1-1) to apply verbally. A DPA worker can take the application information over the phone.

For paper applications, fill out Form GEN-72 and mail, fax, or drop it off at a regional DPA office. Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau all have field offices. Rural communities without road access can mail forms to the central processing hub.

You do not need the long-term care application for Medicare Savings Programs. The standard GEN-72 or the short-form Medicaid application covers it.

Documents You'll Need

Gather these before starting the application:

• Medicare card (red, white, and blue) showing Part A and Part B effective dates
• Most recent Social Security award letter showing gross benefit amount — DPA evaluates gross income, not the net deposit after Part B deductions
• One month of bank statements for every checking, savings, and investment account
• Photo ID and proof of citizenship (passport, birth certificate, or driver's license plus Social Security card)
• If married and living together, income and asset documentation for the spouse as well

DPA presumes 100% of joint bank account funds belong to the applicant unless you provide clear documentation showing the other owner deposited the funds.

What Happens After You Apply

DPA has a 45-day standard of promptness from the date it receives your application. If DPA can verify income and assets through state data exchanges and SSA records, it may decide sooner.

When approved, you'll receive a Notice of Eligibility identifying whether you qualified for QMB, SLMB, or QI, along with the effective date of coverage. SLMB and QI can be made retroactive up to three calendar months before the month of application, provided you met the financial requirements during those months. QMB is strictly prospective — coverage starts the first of the month after approval.

If DPA hasn't acted within 45 days, you can escalate by contacting the DPA Director's Office or requesting a fair hearing based on agency inaction.

The Alaska Medicare Savings Programs & Extra Help Guide walks through every step of the application process, including an income worksheet to verify your parent qualifies before filing and a tracking log to monitor each stage from submission through premium refund.

See more Alaska guides →