Seeking Medical Care

Yes, but only in certain circumstances. Under Alaska law, the general rule is that a minor’s parent or legal guardian must give their consent in order for the minor to receive health care.  However, there are several exceptions to this rule. 

A minor who living away from their parents or legal guardian and who is managing their own financial affairs can consent to their own health care.  The source or extent of their income does not matter.

A minor may consent to care if their parent or legal guardian cannot be contacted (i.e., in an emergency situation) or, if contacted, is unwilling to either grant or withhold their consent.  In these situations, the doctor will advise the minor while considering both the best interest of the minor and the valid interest of the minor’s parents.

A minor who is the parent of a child can consent to care for themselves and for their child. 

A minor can consent to the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of pregnancy.  This includes the right to consent to an abortion.

A minor can consent to diagnosis or treatment of a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

When a minor has the legal right to consent to their own care, and does consent to that care without their parent’s involvements, then their parents do not have the legal right to access information that the health care provider maintains about that care.