PEHT is committed to helping you get affordable care from providers you trust with support you can count on. That’s why, starting July 1, 2026, we’re moving from Aetna Signature Administrators Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) to an Open Access plan approach.
Our new Open Access Medical Plan will give you more flexibility, clearer pricing, and added support — often with lower costs than a typical PPO. EBMS will continue to provide claims administration and member services.
What’s Different (And Better)
While some parts of your plan experience will feel familiar, Open Access gives you what most health plans don’t:
*Lower prices for high-quality care. Unlike a typical PPO with inflated costs that continue to rise, your care is priced at a fair, transparent rate — and claims are reviewed for errors and overcharges.
*Provider choice. You’re not restricted to a network, and you can keep seeing providers you already prefer.
*Billing advocacy. No matter which provider you see, EBMS manages provider bill concerns on your behalf so you don’t overpay.
What Stays the Same
In addition to familiar plan features, like many preventive care services covered at 100% and set copayments for provider visits, there’s still:
*One number to call. Any time you have questions, you just have to call the member number (866-247-1443) on your benefits ID card for real support from real people.
*Direct provider contracts. There’s no change to our established provider and facility partnerships.
Nothing matters more to PEHT than your peace of mind when it matters most — Open Access offers clarity, confidence, and support you can count on.
Learn More: Open Access & Open Enrollment Scan here or go to pehtak.com to get information on all your health and wellness benefit options.
Why Open Access Costs Less
Across the country, and right here in Alaska, traditional PPO networks are becoming less effective at controlling costs. Even when they promise discounts, those discounts are often tied to higher starting prices that can be marked up hundreds – or even thousands – of percent.
No Inflated Prices
Open Access uses fair pricing based on what care actually costs — so you don’t pay more than you should.
That means:
• What you may owe a provider starts from a lower total cost.
• Lower prices can help you reach your deductible with fewer out-of-pocket dollars.
• Overall care costs are often much lower.
Fairer Pricing
Example: An MRI may cost $1,500 with a PPO, but $400 with Open Access. Since what you may owe is based on the lower
amount, you pay much less.
It’s a simpler, fairer way to pay for care that helps keep your costs as low as possible.
Now’s your once-a-year chance to review your health plan. Learn more at pehtak.com.
Open Enrollment ends on May 29 at 4 p.m. AKDT. After that, you can’t make benefit changes unless you have a qualifying life event.
Make Your Benefit Choices
Choosing your health benefits is an important decision.
Submit forms if:
• You’re enrolled in a plan and want to change your selection.
• You previously waived plan coverage but want to enroll this year.
• You’re enrolled in a plan and want to waive coverage.
Review Dependent Coverage
When completing enrollment, list dependents you’d like to cover.
• If dependents are already enrolled: Include their names on your enrollment submission to confirm that you want to continue their coverage. No additional documentation is needed.
• You want to add dependents not enrolled: Include eligibility verification, such as a marriage or birth certificate, with your enrollment submission.
Submit Your Forms
You can either:
• Use miBenefits.EBMS.com.
• Fax paper forms – request from PEHT – and any requested documents to PEHT at 907-222-2556.
Questions? Contact 907-274-7526, 888-685-7526 or info@pehtak.com.
Ever see a provider and then get an unexpected, confusing bill weeks – or even months – later? This happens all the time in healthcare and can be incredibly frustrating. That’s where your Open Access plan comes in.
Unlike with most health plans, you’re never left to figure out a billing issue on your own.
Here’s how EBMS billing advocacy works:
1. After you get care, your provider sends your plan a request for payment (claim).
2. EBMS reviews claims for errors and overcharges — it’s built-in price protection.
3. If needed, they adjust the amount paid to the provider.
EBMS will manage any issues, so you don’t have to.
If you ever get a provider bill, all you need to do is compare it to the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) that your plan sends you. If the provider bill doesn’t match your EOB or you aren’t sure, you’ll just call the member number (866-247-1443) on your benefits ID card.
It’s one more way Open Access helps protect you from unfair costs.
With your Open Access plan, you’ll have a dedicated support team — real people with clear answers. With just one member number (866-247-1443) to call, they’ll help you:
• Find and compare providers. They’ll look at cost, quality, and how well they work with your plan, and can even book an appointment for you.
• Understand your plan: You’ll get all the information you need to make the most of your benefits.
• Skip the hassle: From ID cards to claims questions, you have a team to handle all the details for you.
• Have a smooth visit: If a provider has plan questions, EBMS talks with them for you.
• Understand provider bills: Anytime you have billing questions, you can just call for help.
Your Benefits, All in One Place
With your Open Access plan, you’ll keep your miBenefits login information. You can use the site to see your benefits 24/7, find providers, track claims, download your benefits ID card, and more.
As summer approaches, warmer days make it easier to get moving — whether it’s morning walks, cycling, kayaking, or simply spending time outdoors.
Regular movement strengthens your heart and muscles. It also supports your mental health by reducing stress, boosting your mood, and improving sleep. Even small, consistent activities can make a big difference.
Caring for your health also means staying up to date on preventive screenings and annual checkups. Scheduling these appointments now can help detect concerns early – or prevent them – and keep you feeling your best.
Don’t forget to check-in with Vitality – your free, personalized wellness program – to earn Vitality Points and Vitality Bucks for the health-related activities you choose. Keep the momentum going all summer long with PEHT-sponsored challenges that amp up your points!
Scan the QR code to register/sign in to powerofvitality.com. Or download the “Power of Vitality” app.
When you need surgery, Transcarent Surgery Care can make the experience simpler and less stressful. You’ll pay $0 for access to high-quality surgical care designed to support you before, during, and after treatment. If you’re enrolled in a high-deductible health plan, you pay $0 after you meet your deductible.
Surgery services include:
Go to pehtak.com/forms/transcarent-surgery for a complete list of surgery benefits. Or call 855-265-2874.
Transcarent Virtual Physical Therapy can make it easier to prevent surgery or stay on track with your recovery — no driving required. There’s no out-of-pocket cost for you or family members age 18+ enrolled in a qualified PEHT plan.
Get better on your terms with:
Activate your account at experience.transcarent.com/peht/vpt. Or call 855-265-2874
Dealing with a workplace injury or need a job-related health check? Providence Medical Group (PMG) Alaska opened its first Occupational Medicine clinic in Anchorage, located on the Providence Alaska Medical Center campus.
The clinic makes it easier to get timely, expert care for work-related health concerns, including:
The clinic team provides pre-employment testing, diagnostic, and coordination of care across Providence’s medical system — from physical or occupational therapy to lab work, imaging, surgery, or rehabilitation. This connected approach means your recovery is smoother, faster, and fully supported.
Walk into the clinic – no referral needed – located in Suite A-461 at Providence Alaska Medical Center, 3200 Providence Dr. Or call 907-212-0222 to schedule an appointment.
Providence Alaska Medical Center is one of your health plan’s direct contract, in-network providers — which means they work well with your plan and cost you less. For information on direct contract providers and preferred AETNA Signature network providers, go to: pehtak.com/preferred-providers.
Life doesn’t slow down when you’re not feeling your best. That’s where virtual care through Teladoc comes in. From common health concerns to ongoing support, Teladoc makes it easy to connect with care by phone or video on your schedule — without the waiting room.
With Teladoc, you have access to:
Visit TeladocHealth.com and activate your account. You can also download the Teladoc Health app or call 800-835-2362.
Use Your Preventive Care Benefits
Your health plan covers many preventive services – such as screenings and vaccines – at no cost to you. Call EBMS at the number (866-247-1443) on your benefits ID card to learn what’s covered and your eligibility requirements — and schedule the checkups you and your family need.