We are proud to announce that we are now in-network with Cigna!
Alaska Hand-Elbow-Shoulder, the office of Dr. McNamara & Dr. Gray, is now a preferred provider with Cigna, Blue Cross, and Aetna. What does this mean for you as a patient? This means that claims will be paid at the in-network benefit level, meaning you will pay less money out of pocket for both your deductible and out-of-pocket expenses. Becoming preferred with Cigna is just another way that AkHES can better serve you, our patients!
If you have any questions regarding this exciting announcement, please give us a call at (907) 771-3500 and select option 4 to speak with our billing department.
More
Alaska Hand-Elbow-Shoulder continues to closely monitor the status of COVID-19 in Alaska. Our clinic remains open Monday –Thursday 8am – 4:30pm, and we are available by phone on Friday 8am – 3pm.
APPOINTMENTS: We are ready to assist both new and existing patients through one of our telemedicine options or with an in-office appointment. For patients with a scheduled in-person appointment, we ask that you please text us when you arrive at our MGM building, and wait in your car until you receive a text from us notifying you that we are ready to room you. At our suite entrance, our staff will conduct a brief COVID-19 risk assessment before taking you back. We do ask that all patients wear a mask to their appointment and that patients come alone to their appointment to limit unnecessary exposure. Please use the hand sanitizer stations at check-in and check-out as well.
SURGERIES: The State of Alaska is slowly allowing us to open back up for elective surgeries. Please understand that for the time being, our surgical capacity will be limited. If your elective surgery was postponed, please be patient with our clinical team as they work through the waitlist of postponed surgeries to call each patient back and to reschedule each surgery. For any patients that need an elective surgery and were not on already on the waitlist, we would be happy to add you to our waitlist so that we can schedule your procedure as our surgery schedule allows. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Stay healthy Alaska!
More
Alaska Hand-Elbow-Shoulder continues to closely monitor the status of COVID-19 in Alaska. Our clinic remains open Monday –Thursday 8am – 4:30pm, and we are available by phone on Friday 8am – 3pm.
We are ready to assist both new and existing patients through one of our telemedicine options or with an in-office appointment when necessary. For patients with a scheduled appointment who would like to come in, we are happy to see you, but ask that you please text us when you arrive at our MGM building, and wait in your car until you receive a text from us notifying you that we are ready to room you. At our suite entrance, our staff will conduct a brief COVID-19 risk assessment before taking you back. We do ask that patients come alone to their appointment to limit unnecessary exposure. Please call us at 907-771-3500 to learn more about our telemedicine options.
For any patients that want an elective surgery, we would be happy to add you to our waiting list so that we can schedule your procedure as soon as the State of Alaska lifts its ban on non-urgent, elective surgeries.
Stay healthy Alaska!
More
Alaska Hand-Elbow-Shoulder continues to closely monitor the status of coronavirus in Alaska. Our clinic REMAINS OPEN and ready to assist both new and existing patients.
A recent Health Mandate from the State of Alaska temporarily prohibits all non-urgent or elective surgical procedures, but we are still able to offer you an appointment either in the office or virtually through one of our telemedicine offerings (via phone or video). Please call us at (907) 771-3500 to learn more about our telemedicine options.
For patients with a scheduled appointment who would like to come in, we are happy to see you, but ask that you please follow a few requests. When you arrive at our MGM building, please text us at our main number (907) 771-3500 to let us know you have arrived. Please wait in your car until you receive a text notifying you that we are ready to room you. At our suite entrance, our staff will conduct a brief COVID-19 risk assessment before taking you back. We do ask that when possible that patients come alone to their appointment to limit unnecessary exposure.
For any patients that want an elective surgery, we would be happy to add you to our waiting list so that we can schedule your procedure as soon as the State of Alaska lifts its ban on non-urgent elective surgeries.
Alaska Hand-Elbow-Shoulder will continue to provide the best care to our patients, in accordance with state and federal guidelines that also help keep our larger community safe during this time.
We are in this together, so let’s all do our part to slow the spread and to stay healthy!
More
To our valued AkHES patients:
Our team at Alaska Hand-Elbow-Shoulder is closely monitoring the status of coronavirus in Alaska. The health and safety of our patients, our staff, and our community is important to us. We are taking preventative actions to reduce the risk of spreading a respiratory illness like COVID-19, including thorough cleaning of our work space. We strongly encourage you to wash your hands frequently and to appropriately cover a cough or sneeze.
Based on CDC recommendations, if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms to include a fever of 100.4 F or above, a cough, shortness of breath, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, or have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19, we encourage you to reschedule your appointment with us and to consult with your primary care provider.
If you are feeling under the weather and are unsure about your symptoms, you are welcome to call our office prior to your appointment to speak with a staff member about your visit.
By working together we can help reduce the spread of COVID-19, especially to our most vulnerable friends and neighbors.
For more information, please visit the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services: http://www.dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/COVID-19/default.aspx
More
Alaska Hand-Elbow-Shoulder and Dr. Michael McNamara are proud to sponsor Happy Trails Kennels, the home of four-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser. Martin is currently the musher with the most consecutive Iditarod finishes, 33 races completed in a row, 36 total finishes. Buser was inducted into the Iditarod Hall of Fame in 2017 and is a four-time Iditarod champion winning the race in 1992, 1994, 1997, and 2002. Tim Pappas of Happy Trails Kennel will also be taking a team to Nome this year. To learn more about Happy Trails Kennels, visit their website at: http://buserdog.com/.
Please join us in cheering on Martin Buser (Bib #26) and Tim Pappas (Bib #3) on their journey to Nome! The 2020 Iditarod Ceremonial start begins Saturday, March 7th starting at 10:00 AM in downtown Anchorage and the Official Iditarod start begins on Sunday, March 8th at 2:00 PM in Willow, Alaska. To follow along the Iditarod trail, visit https://iditarod.com/.
More
Alaska Hand-Elbow-Shoulder and Dr. Jason Gray are proud supporters of the Youth Ski League at Arctic Valley Ski Area. The final Youth Ski League race of the season was this past weekend – congratulations to all the racers who competed.
More
Have you met the newest addition to our team of upper extremity specialists, Dr. Jason Gray?
Jason R. Gray, M.D. is a Board Eligible orthopedic surgeon and is Fellowship-Trained in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery. His specialty training includes trauma, sports medicine, arthroscopic procedures of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder, as well as arthroplasty of the shoulder, elbow, and small joints of the hand. Additionally, Dr. Gray has interests in lower extremity fracture management, and hip and knee replacement surgery. Call today to schedule your appointment!
More
We have great news for our patients employed with the State of Alaska. As of April 1st, 2017, AkHES is a preferred provider with Aetna!
What does this mean for you? This means that claims will be paid at the in-network benefit level, meaning you will pay less money out of pocket for both your deductible and out-of-pocket expenses.
If you have any questions regarding this exciting announcement, please give us a call at (907) 771-3500 and select option 4 to speak with our billing department.
More
We are happy to announce that we are now in-network with Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield (including Federal Blue Cross)!
What does this mean for you as a patient? This means that claims will be paid at the in-network benefit level, meaning you will pay less money out of pocket for both your deductible and out-of-pocket expenses. Becoming preferred with Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield is just another way that AkHES can better serve you, our patients!
If you have any questions regarding this exciting announcement, please give us a call at (907) 771-3500 and select option 4 to speak with our billing department.
More
DeeDee poses with Dr. McNamara
We are proud to sponsor and support Iditarod veteran, DeeDee Jonrowe, in this year’s Iditarod Sled Dog Race. DeeDee is one of the most well-known mushers in the Iditarod, with 33 Iditarod starts. She has had 16 top ten finishes and is a two-time runner up. DeeDee’s “can-do” attitude in spite of life’s challenges is an inspiration–especially as 2015 posed some very difficult challenges for DeeDee and her husband Mike. The Jonrowe family lost their home, vehicles, and mushing equipment in the 2015 Sockeye wildfire near Willow. Thankfully, the Jonrowe’s were able to get their dogs to safety. Also in 2015, DeeDee lost her mother Peg—her best friend and biggest supporter—to cancer. Through all of life’s challenges, however, DeeDee continues to stay positive and to never give up. Please join us in cheering on DeeDee and her team in her 34th Iditarod start this weekend!
To follow DeeDee’s journey to Nome, visit http://iditarod.com/, and to learn more about DeeDee or to donate towards her journey to Nome, visit her website at http://www.deedeejonrowe.com/.
Go DeeDee!
More
Dr. McNamara & Joanne with Martin at the 2015 Musher’s Banquet
Each year, we are thrilled to support our friend and seasoned Iditarod veteran, Martin Buser. Martin is a four-time Iditarod champion with 29 consecutive Iditarod finishes, and 31 total finishes. Although he is a spirited racer and a strong competitor in the Iditarod, what makes Martin Buser a true champion is his fortitude and endurance in spite of circumstance.
For those who have not yet heard, one of Martin’s two sons, Nikolai Buser, was in a terrible car accident on January 22nd that landed him in critical condition at Harborview Trauma Center in Seattle, WA. Nikolai had 8 surgeries in 11 days. Up until about a week ago, Martin was at Nikolai’s bedside, comforting and encouraging Nikolai in his long recovery process. Martin recently flew back to Alaska to complete final preparations for this year’s 2016 Iditarod while his wife, Kathy, remains with Nikolai. Thus, it is with much enthusiasm that we proudly cheer on Nikolai Buser in his recovery process, as well as Martin Buser in his 32nd Iditarod sled dog race!
To follow Nikolai’s journey to recovery and to donate towards the family’s high medical bills, please visit the following crowdfunding website: https://www.youcaring.com/nikolai-buser-509882/update/440454. We know that every prayer and every dollar is greatly appreciated by the Buser family.
To follow Martin’s journey to Nome, visit http://iditarod.com/, and to learn more about Martin, visit his website at http://buserdog.com/.
Let’s go Team Buser!
More
