Commercial healthcare reimbursement in Alaska
How Alaska compares with the nation, by payer, specialty and procedure.
Alaska at a glance
What the data shows
Alaska ranks 1st of 51 states for commercial reimbursement, with an index of 243 (100 = national median) across 228 procedure codes; the West region averages 118.
Commercial rates in Alaska run a median 366% of Medicare.
Aetna has the highest index in the state (121) and Cigna the lowest (64), a 57-point gap, in the files analyzed.
CPT 65820 (Goniotomy) is the strongest relative to the national median (347% of it, a 247% premium); CPT 37243 (Vasc embolize/occlude organ) has the smallest premium (127% of the national median).
Alaska ranks consistently across specialties: 1st of 51 states for all 8 specialties tracked.
Against Medicare, gastroenterology has the highest ratio in Alaska (449% of Medicare) and internal medicine the lowest (215%).
Payer ranking in Alaska
| Payer | Index | Rank | Level | Codes | Providers | TINs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna | 121 | 1 | 109 | 211 | 196 | |
| UnitedHealthcare | 114 | 2 | 92 | 164 | 130 | |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | 100 | 3 | 228 | 290 | 351 | |
| Cigna | 64 | 4 | 63 | 57 | 109 |
Reimbursement index by specialty in Alaska
| Specialty | Index | Rank among states | % of Medicare | Level | Codes | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orthopedic surgery | 277 | 1 of 51 | 387% | 39 | 65 | |
| Internal medicine | 182 | 1 of 51 | 215% | 25 | 97 | |
| Diagnostic radiology | 174 | 1 of 51 | 262% | 49 | 61 | |
| Gastroenterology | 229 | 1 of 50 | 449% | 36 | 16 | |
| Urology | 207 | 1 of 50 | 436% | 37 | 22 | |
| Dermatology | 243 | 1 of 50 | 250% | 44 | 16 | |
| Ophthalmology | 259 | 1 of 50 | 323% | 42 | 24 | |
| Cardiology | 251 | 1 of 51 | 399% | 38 | 28 |
Specialty by payer in Alaska
| Specialty | UHC | Aetna | Cigna | BCBS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internal medicine | 205 | 146 | 115 | 210 |
| Dermatology | n/a | 292 | n/a | 248 |
| Ophthalmology | n/a | 234 | n/a | 302 |
| Cardiology | n/a | n/a | n/a | 255 |
| Orthopedic surgery | 313 | 318 | n/a | 250 |
| Diagnostic radiology | 212 | 240 | 116 | 147 |
| Urology | n/a | n/a | n/a | 207 |
| Gastroenterology | n/a | n/a | n/a | 233 |
Alaska compared with West region states
Procedures that pay most and least in Alaska vs the nation
Highest vs national
| Code | Alaska | National | Gap | Prov. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65820 Goniotomy | $3,313 | $955 | +247% | 23 |
| 65756 Corneal trnspl endothelial | $4,726 | $1,425 | +232% | 24 |
| 15823 Blepharp upr eyelid xcsv skn | $2,230 | $677 | +229% | 23 |
| 66991 Xcapsl ctrc rmvl insj 1+ | $2,738 | $840 | +226% | 24 |
| 93297 Rem interrog dev eval icpms | $167 | $52 | +220% | 27 |
| 93298 Rem interrog dev eval scrms | $167 | $52 | +220% | 27 |
| 66821 After cataract laser surgery | $1,254 | $393 | +219% | 24 |
| 20550 Njx 1 tendon sheath/ligament | $235 | $74 | +219% | 65 |
| 76872 Us transrectal | $587 | $188 | +212% | 22 |
| 43274 Ercp duct stent placement | $2,295 | $739 | +211% | 16 |
| 27130 Total hip arthroplasty | $6,654 | $2,158 | +208% | 65 |
| 67042 Vit for macular hole | $4,564 | $1,494 | +206% | 23 |
| 66982 Xcapsl ctrc rmvl cplx wo ecp | $2,985 | $981 | +204% | 24 |
| 27447 Total knee arthroplasty | $6,646 | $2,190 | +204% | 65 |
| 67210 Treatment of retinal lesion | $1,999 | $659 | +203% | 23 |
Lowest vs national
| Code | Alaska | National | Gap | Prov. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37243 Vasc embolize/occlude organ | $1,093 | $858 | +27% | 55 |
| 93971 Extremity study | $262 | $172 | +52% | 61 |
| 99454 Rem mntr physiol param 16-30 | $116 | $75 | +55% | 124 |
| 51700 Irrigation of bladder | $120 | $77 | +56% | 22 |
| 96372 Ther/proph/diag inj sc/im | $38 | $24 | +59% | 97 |
| 52000 Cystourethroscopy | $336 | $210 | +60% | 22 |
| 74174 Cta abd&plvs w/contrast | $976 | $601 | +62% | 60 |
| 51702 Insert temp bladder cath | $99 | $61 | +63% | 22 |
| 76642 Ultrasound breast limited | $197 | $120 | +64% | 61 |
| 99202 Office o/p new sf 15 min | $116 | $70 | +67% | 16 |
| 93880 Extracranial bilat study | $475 | $283 | +68% | 184 |
| 72141 Mri neck spine w/o dye | $655 | $390 | +68% | 60 |
| 93970 Extremity study | $459 | $272 | +68% | 87 |
| 99348 Home/res vst est low mdm 30 | $187 | $109 | +72% | 89 |
| 76641 Ultrasound breast complete | $250 | $145 | +72% | 61 |
Frequently asked questions
How do commercial reimbursement rates in Alaska compare with the rest of the country?
Alaska ranks 1st of 51 states with an index of 243, across 228 procedure codes. Median commercial rates run 366% of the Medicare rate.
Which payer has the highest rates in Alaska?
In the files we analyzed, Aetna has the highest index (121) and Cigna the lowest (64). Each payer's figures describe the specific plans and networks in the files used, not its whole book of business.
Which specialty has the strongest rates in Alaska?
Orthopedic surgery ranks 1st of 51 states.
How many providers does this Alaska page cover?
329 sampled providers across 4 payers. The data comes from a random sample of providers, so counts describe the sample, not every provider in the state.
Which procedures differ most between Alaska and the national median?
CPT 65820 (Goniotomy) is highest relative to the nation at 347% of the national median; CPT 37243 (Vasc embolize/occlude organ) is lowest at 127%.
Methodology
- Source: in-network negotiated-rate files published under the federal Transparency in Coverage rule, August 2026 snapshot: UnitedHealthcare Choice plans (74 files); Aetna commercial plans (70 files); Cigna national PPO (1 files); BCBS licensees' own-network files (5,387 files). Payer comparisons describe these files, not each payer's entire book of business.
- Sample: rates come from a random sample of up to 150 providers per state and specialty. Counts on this page are sampled providers and TINs, not totals.
- Which providers count: only providers in a specialty relevant to the code, because a rate in a payer file attaches to a provider group and is listed under every provider in that group.
- Filters: fee-for-service, professional billing class, no modifier, negotiated or fee-schedule dollar rates. Rates outside 1% to 1,000% of the Medicare rate are excluded.
- Statistic: one median rate per provider, then percentiles across providers. A cell is shown only with at least 15 sampled providers and 4 TINs.
- Medicare benchmark: CY2026 national physician fee schedule, non-QPP conversion factor, unadjusted for locality. Where the non-facility rate is more than twice the facility rate (office rates that include device or supply cost), the facility rate is used so comparisons are like for like.
Benchmark your Alaska contracts
Compare your negotiated rates with these state medians by payer and specialty.