Use this information to help make travel to and from your medical appointments as convenient as possible. Please read through all the information below. Still have questions? Reach out to YKHC Travel at 833-543-6625, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, any day of the week.
Before you travel
REVIEW YOUR APPOINTMENTS
Make sure that you review appointment dates and times at your destination. If you have questions about your medical situation, speak with your case manager.
PLAN YOUR LODGING
Patients are advised to arrange and confirm lodging prior to travel. While it is sometimes possible to secure lodging on a walk-in basis, reservations are strongly recommended.
If traveling under Medicaid:
- Per State of Alaska Medicaid, it is the patient’s responsibility to set up their own lodging at an approved Medicaid facility. If you are interested in staying at the Qavartarvik Customer Lodge in Bethel, please let the YKHC Travel Team know in advance and they can assist you with a reservation. Reservations are strongly recommended. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space permits.
- If you are traveling to Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC) for care, you may be able to arrange to stay in ANMC patient housing. Please confirm before arriving. Housing at ANMC will only provide lodging to patients being seen there or at an appointment originating from an ANMC referral. They will not provide lodging to patients flying from Bethel directly to another healthcare facility in Anchorage.
- For the most current list of Medicaid approved hotels in Anchorage, please consult with YKHC Travel.
If you are traveling on YK Pay or other non-Medicaid travel –
- YKHC does not cover the cost of lodging outside of Bethel for non-Medicaid patients.
Customers must check in at the Qavartarvik Customer Lodge (QCL) in Bethel between 3 and 6 p.m. If you are going to arrive after 6 p.m. for any reason, including flight delay, you must let the lodge to let them know you will be arriving late. The lodge can be reached through the main travel phone number: 833-543-6625. If you have not checked in by 6 p.m. QCL staff members will attempt to call you for confirmation of arrival. If we are unable to immediately confirm the reservation, the reservation will be canceled so that it can be made available to another customer.
CONSIDER GROUND TRANSPORTATION
In Bethel, the YKHC shuttle runs every 30 minutes and can take you from the airport, lodge and hospital at no cost. Bethel cab companies do not take Medicaid vouchers for taxi rides. The shuttle can be reached at 907-543-0185
If you are traveling to Anchorage or beyond, please arrange to pick up taxi vouchers at the clinic. Please note that taxi vouchers are only to be used for medical appointments. You will not be issued any more if it can’t be medically justified.
If you stay at a Medicaid hotel that does not offer meals, you cannot use Medicaid taxi slips to go to the cafeteria at ANMC. If you do, you will not be allotted more taxi slips.
GATHER DOCUMENTS
Visit your local clinic to pick up approved travel vouchers needed for airline reservations, meals, lodging and (if traveling beyond Bethel) taxi for patient (and approved escort.)
Make sure you have the following:
- Airline-approved personal identification card for patient and escort (unless under age 18.)
- Patient’s Medicaid card
- Money for items not covered by Medicaid or for any cost that may occur for loss of Medicaid benefits during travel. (Room service, tips, phone calls, movies, taxi rides for personal use, etc.)
- All clothing and items you need to be comfortable during your travel, appointment and stay
PLAN YOUR CHILDCARE
Due to Medicaid restrictions, patients are strongly encouraged not to bring a lap child.
REVIEW ESCORT GUIDELINES
Escorts must be approved in advance and follow the guidelines outlined below. These guidelines are established by Medicaid and cannot be changed or amended by YKHC.
The escort must be physically and mentally able to transport or assist with all care related to the patient, which includes being able to push, pull, lift as needed to assist patient; help patient in and out of any aircraft; assist with wheel chair; support personal hygiene needs of patient; and other assistance as needed.
If a person requires an escort themselves, they cannot act as an escort for another patient for any reason.
Escorts cannot bring lap children.
The escort is required to stay with the patient at all times.
- If an escort abandons the patient, Medicaid may ban the escort.
- If patient is admitted, the escort must stay with the patient or contact travel to return home.
Any escort banned by Medicaid will also not be eligible to serve as an escort on any YK Pay travel.
On your way
Check in 2-3 hours before your flight to ensure you make it through security (if applicable.) If you miss your check-in for any non-medical reason, Medicaid will not pay to rebook a missed flight.
If you are delayed for any reason and will arrive at Qavartarvik Customer Lodge after 6 p.m., you must let the lodge to let them know you will be arriving late. The lodge can be reached through the main travel phone number: 833-543-6625. Please check late check in policies at other lodging and adhere to their late check in policy.
All patients and escorts are required to abide by the code of conduct at the Qavartarvik Customer Lodge or any other lodging establishment.
At your destination
Make sure you get to your appointments at or before the required check in time.
Pay close attention to flight reservations. Escorts may be transported home and then back again for the patient’s return trip depending on trip duration and cost effectiveness.
Both YKHC and ANMC offer free shuttle from the airport to the hospital. No cab vouchers are available for Bethel.
If your travel plans change DURING YOUR TRIP
As soon as your plans have changed for any reason (i.e. personal, missed flight, medical situation), begin to update your travel plans and cancel reservations you will not be able to keep. You are required to update before proceeding in any personal activities.
In Bethel,
- The Travel Update booths in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital Resource Center are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- YKHC QCL Travel Update booths on the first floor of the lodge (next to check in) are open daily 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Outside of Bethel,
- Contact the facility where you were seen to update your travel.
- As a reminder, ANMC does not update travel if you were not seen there.
If you miss your flight for any reason that is not medically justified, you may have to pay for the remainder of the trip out of pocket.
Contact Information
The primary phone number for YKHC Travel is 833-543-6625. When you call this number, you will be able to select from options to help with:
- Travel that has already been booked or you are currently traveling on
- New appointments or travel that has not begun.
- Qavartarvik Customer Lodge
- Medicaid enrollment
If you would like to communicate with YKHC Travel Team via text, let your Travel Team member know.
Other useful contact numbers:
- ANMC Care Coordination: 855-482-4382
- ANMC Patient housing/Quyana House: 907-729-2400
SAFE TRAVELS!
Our Travel Team works hard to make your trip as convenient and comfortable as possible. We understand that traveling, weather and illness can be stressful, but customers are expected to be respectful to all staff.
We look forward to serving you! Please reach out with any questions or suggestions on how we can better communicate with you.