Health

The road from illness to recovery is often difficult. In the middle of a major health crisis, patients are expected to navigate the complicated health care system. A pilot program called Alaska Innovative Medicine in Anchorage is rounding out its first year trying to improve that journey for patients while also spending fewer healthcare dollars. Download Audio

The federal government has extend an important deadline for people who need individual health insurance in 2016. High demand on healthcare.gov prompted officials to extend the deadline for coverage that takes effect January 1.

The federal government has extended an important deadline for people who need individual health insurance in 2016. High demand on healthcare.gov prompted officials to extend the deadline for coverage that takes effect Jan. 1.

Much of the extended life span of humans today can be attributed to the control of pathogenic microbes. As a result the promotion of health and attention on chronic disease is becoming the focus of health care. However, along the way we are discovering a new appreciation of the health benefits provided by much more abundant non-pathogenic microbes that evolved with us and make up about 2 % of our weight. December 21, 2015 Download Audio

More and more Alaskans are heading Outside for major elective surgeries. Flying to the Lower 48 for things like knee and hip replacements can save patients and their health plans tens of thousands of dollars. Health care experts hope the practice will help put pressure on Alaska prices for those surgeries. And there is some evidence the strategy is working. Download Audio

More than a hundred people turned out last Thursday for a ribbon-cutting at a community health center in Sutton, a town on the Glenn Highway 60 miles northeast of Anchorage. The center will serve residents from Palmer to Eureka. And although the Indian Health Service contributed funding, and the Chickaloon Native Village Council manages the center, it will be open to Natives and non-Natives alike. Download Audio

Buried deep in the October 2004 supplement of the Alaska Administrative Code are a few sentences a lot of Alaska health care experts are talking about right now. It's called the 80th percentile rule. It was adopted as a consumer protection measure, but insurers say it's encouraging excessive prices for specialty care. Download Audio

Just as First Aid and CPR help teach people how to aid in a medical emergency, Mental Health First Aid teaches the skills needed to assist someone experiencing a mental health related crisis. Mental Health First Aid courses teach people about risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction, and teach strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-­crisis situations. We'll talk about how to help individuals experiencing these challenges. KSKA: Monday, January 25, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. LISTEN NOW

According to the latest figures 9.7 percent of emergency transports are spice-related emergencies across the municipality. Now, the city is pulling together a broad spectrum of experts from different fields to develop long term strategies.

Medicaid is one of the biggest drivers of Alaska’s state spending. At the same time, Alaska has the nation’s highest suicide rate, and a growing problem with opioid addiction. There is a new effort to address both issues. State leaders believe they can lower the long term growth in Medicaid costs – and make Alaskans healthier mentally and physically. Download Audio

Lixin Huang currently serves as the President of the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco, and has served in numerous capacities with the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies. Lixin has traveled around the world presenting on the use of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine in the United States. DOWNLOAD AUDIO

The Department of Defense is in the middle of a massive makeover in how it provides healthcare to soldiers and their families. The top official in charge of the new Defense Health Agency came to Alaska for her first visit. She spoke about how the military wants to provide care that's not only better, but smarter. Listen now

Donald Trump’s election as president is expected to lead to major changes in the individual health insurance market. While states don’t know what those changes will be, some policy experts suggested before the election that other states follow Alaska’s lead in addressing rising prices. Listen Now

The open enrollment period for the individual health insurance market opened today. Listen now