Black Health

Alaska Medicaid

Alaska Medicaid (DenaliCare)

Expansion adopted (2015) 12-month postpartum

Alaska Medicaid (DenaliCare) covers pregnant women up to 205% of the federal poverty line — roughly $52,930 annual income for a family of three in 2025. The state adopted Medicaid expansion in 2015. Apply at https://aries.alaska.gov/ or call 1-888-318-8890.

On maternal health specifically: Alaska Medicaid (DenaliCare) has extended postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months (effective 2022-06-01), and does not cover doula services through Medicaid.

Governor Bill Walker adopted expansion by executive order in September 2015 after the legislature declined, making Alaska the 30th expansion state. The Division of Public Assistance runs rural enrollment through tribal health corporations such as SEARHC and Maniilaq.

Key facts at a glance

  • Pregnant women eligible up to 205% FPL ($52,930 for a family of three in 2025).
  • Children 0-5 eligible up to 208% FPL ($53,710 for a family of three).
  • Expansion adults eligible up to 138% FPL ($35,630 for a family of three).
  • Postpartum Medicaid extended to 12 months (effective 2022-06-01).

For Black families

Roughly 6,200 Black residents are enrolled in Alaska Medicaid (DenaliCare), per the most recent CMS T-MSIS analytic file. The number understates true eligibility: every state has Black eligibles who aren't currently enrolled, usually because of the administrative-churn rates that rose sharply during the 2023 unwinding.

Governor Bill Walker adopted expansion by executive order in September 2015 after the legislature declined, making Alaska the 30th expansion state. The Division of Public Assistance runs rural enrollment through tribal health corporations such as SEARHC and Maniilaq.

For enrollment help: look for your state's Navigator program (federally funded under the ACA), a Federally Qualified Health Center in your county (every FQHC has certified application counselors on staff), or one of the named community organizations below. Our FQHC directory filters to this state at /clinics/ak/.

Data sources

Data refreshed: