Patient Travel

We can assist with:

• Flights & lodging coordination
• Rescheduling or cancellations
• Missed flights or connections
• Travel authorization updates
• Reimbursement questions (when applicable)
• Urgent travel issues after-hours (on-call support)

• Verify your appointments before you leave.
• Pack for 1–2 extra days when traveling in Alaska (weather delays happen).
• Arrive at the airport 1–2 hours early for check-in and security.
• Follow medical instructions you were given before your appointment.
• Update your emergency contact info with Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center.

Please don’t:

• Miss scheduled flights (return flights are not guaranteed).
• Wait until the last minute to request travel changes.
• Bring weapons of any kind.
• Consume alcohol or use drugs during medical travel.
• Carry large amounts of cash—bring only what you need.

Traveling for care can be stressful—this checklist helps:

• Photo ID
• Medicaid vouchers (Medicaid patients only—originals, not copies)
• Trip itinerary and hotel information
• Appointment dates and times
• A list of all medications (even those not related to this visit)
• All daily medications + extra (in case of delays)
• Credit card for incidentals (some hotels require a deposit even with vouchers)

If you’re going to miss a flight, you must notify Patient Travel at least 60 minutes before departure:
Call (844) 747-0808 (24/7).

Not calling ahead may result in loss of the current travel itinerary and could affect eligibility for future travel for the same diagnosis.

Weather/mechanical delays: If your flight is delayed by weather or mechanical issues, call us so we can update your travel authorization and help coordinate next steps.

Patient Travel has an on-call coordinator available 24/7 to help with urgent issues such as:

• Missed connections or flight changes
• Lodging/transportation problems and needs
• Urgent travel questions
• Updating travel authorizations

Call: (844) 747-0808 anytime.
If you’re leaving a message, include name, DOB, callback number, and the issue.

Medevac note (Fairbanks): If you are medevac’d and discharged after hours, call the on-call coordinator to help arrange lodging.

Who Qualifies

An escort may be authorized when medically necessary, including:

• Children under 18 (parent/legal guardian required)
• Elders who are frail, confused, or need help navigating
• Patients who are mentally or physically handicapped and cannot travel independently
• Patients who need hands-on support for mobility or daily needs

Escorts must be medically justified and approved by the referring provider.

Escort Responsibilities
As an escort, you are responsible for supporting the patient during travel and appointments.

Escorts must:

• Help the patient collect and keep required documents (vouchers, appointment slips, Travel Authorization forms, etc.)
• Accompany the patient to all scheduled appointments, lodging, and meals (before personal activities)
• Help with mobility and safety needs (snow/ice, stairs, wheelchairs, vehicles)
• Assist with luggage and medical supplies
• Stay with the patient unless released by the health care provider

Do not leave the patient unattended at any time.
Failure to fulfill escort responsibilities may affect eligibility to serve as an escort in the future.

Escort qualifications and expectations
Escorts must:

• Be 18+ (or the patient’s legal guardian)
• Not be under the influence of drugs/alcohol during the trip
• Be able to perform escort duties (including lifting up to 40 lbs when needed)
• Be able to read/understand instructions and remain alert to safety hazards
• For Anchorage travel, be able to pass ANMC Quyana House background check requirements (when applicable)
• Not bring other non-patient children/infants

Medicaid may cover travel when:

• The service is Medicaid-covered and not available locally
• Travel is to the nearest appropriate facility. Bypassing the nearest facility will likely result in a denial.
• The least expensive transportation that meets medical needs is used
• Travel is authorized in advance by the appropriate travel office/provider process

Important: Do not contact air carriers directly. Patient Travel/travel offices book approved carriers, and changes generally require authorization.

Medicaid travel tips
Before travel:

• Ask your provider to request authorization at least 10 days before non-emergency travel
• Confirm approval before leaving (no authorization = Medicaid can’t cover costs)
• Travel should align with care needs (no extra days unrelated to treatment)
• Use Medicaid-enrolled hotels/taxi providers when required

During travel:

• Use taxi vouchers only for medical-related transportation (airport/lodging/appointments)
• Keep your vouchers safe—copies are not accepted  and vouchers cannot be re-issued.

If plans change:

• You must contact the travel office that arranged travel before the flight departs
• Missing a flight without canceling will cancel the remaining itinerary, and rebooking may not be covered

PRC funds may be used to pay for travel (including meals/lodging) for certain medical, behavioral health, or dental services when authorized before travel begins.

Key points:

• Unauthorized travel is the patient’s responsibility
• Patients must comply with alternate resource requirements when eligibility is determined
• Missed appointments within the patient’s control may affect travel eligibility

(You can keep PRC details high-level on the webpage and link to a policy PDF for the longer list of what is/isn’t authorized.)

• FMH Café Rack Card
• ANTHC Outpatient Specialty Clinics and Patient Housing Map
• ANTHC Patient Travel and Lodging
• ANTHC Airport Liaison and Pre Check-in Guide
• ANMC Shuttle Tracker
• ANMC Patient Education Information