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Page 3 A
PARENT'S GUIDE TO Q: What are Indian Health Services? A: Health services for Alaskan natives and Indians who are enrolled in or direct descendants of recognized tribes may be available through the Indian Health Service (IHS). There are basically three types of services, direct care, contract care and urban programs. IHS clinics are located throughout the country, although they are not in every state. Their staff can either provide the medical care a child needs or refer the child to a specialist outside the Indian Health Service. There is no charge to the family for IHS services; the payment is made by the family s health insurance company, if they have one, by Medicaid, if the family has applied and been found eligible for Medicaid, or by the IHS. The people at IHS can discuss these options with you. If a child requires specialized medical care not available through the local IHS clinic, then the doctor at IHS can refer the child to the needed specialist. The process for this referral is called Contract Care. This may be based on medical priorities to determine whether the patient should be seen immediately or whether deferred services can be suggested. It may be useful for the family to confirm that the formal Contract Care referral has been made, to insure proper payment. The family should contact the Contract Health Service authorizing official in the service unit where your family is being seen. Contract Care referrals must come from IHS. Obviously a family can seek medical care at other facilities but then they must arrange payments for these services on their own; IHS will cover expenses only when they have authorized the referral. In situations where the family must travel long distances to needed medical services, staff at the IHS clinic can help make travel arrangements. They may also be able to help with arrangements for overnight stays away from home. Q: Who Can Use Indian Health Services? A: There are several important points to keep in mind when using direct care Indian Health Service. First, the family must be eligible. Basically, the criteria are that the individuals are enrolled in a recognized tribe or can prove direct descendancy of a recognized tribe. The family must be in the IHS delivery area. There are situations in which a person may be living somewhere else, for instance a student attending a school away from home may require medical services, and be eligible for IHS. Adopted and foster children of eligible Indian families, whether or not they are Indians themselves, can receive care through IHS until they reach the age of 19. Contract Care services through IHS may have stricter eligibility requirements. Individuals using this service must meet residency requirements and have close social and economic ties to their tribe. There may be requirements for filing for Medicaid too. Urban programs have distinct eligibility criteria too. If you are not sure if your family is eligible, check with your local IHS. If
you have questions or need help, you can call the closest IHS facility
or phone Indian Health Services, Office of Communications in Rockville,
Maryland. The number is (301) 443-3593.
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