Orlando Harmon
Alaskan Natives are eligible for health coverage through the Indian Health Service (IHS), a federal health program that works in conjunction with Alaska Native Tribes and Tribal Organisations (T/TOs) to provide comprehensive health services. The IHS is available to members of federally recognised tribes and Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporation shareholders. There are no out-of-pocket costs for items or services provided by the IHS, and Alaskan Natives can also access services from Tribal programs or urban Indian organisations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Health services | Comprehensive health services provided to 163,835 Alaska Natives |
| Health centers | 72 tribal health centers, 148 tribal community health aide clinics, and five residential substance abuse treatment centers |
| Referral center | The Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage |
| Health programs | Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) |
| Health coverage | Health coverage through Marketplace plans, Medicaid, and CHIP |
| Tribal health programs | Tribal health programs (also known as tribal 638 programs or tribal health clinics) |
| Urban Indian programs | Urban Indian programs (known as I/T/Us) |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP
Alaskan Natives are eligible for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and have special cost and eligibility rules that make it easier to qualify for these programs. There are no out-of-pocket costs for items or services provided by the Indian Health Service (IHS), Tribal programs, or health programs available to Alaskan Natives living in urban areas.
Alaskan Natives can apply for Medicaid or CHIP even if they have filed for an exemption from the shared responsibility payment. They do not have to pay Medicaid premiums or enrollment fees. They can also continue to get services through an Indian Health Service, Tribal, or Urban Indian Organization (I/T/U) even if the I/T/U is not a provider in their program's managed care network.
Alaskan Natives who are members of federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporation shareholders can enroll in a Marketplace plan at any time and change plans up to once a month or enroll for plan coverage for the next year during the yearly period of November 1 to January 15. The Marketplace application asks for income information from the applicant's federal income tax return. However, Indian or Alaska Native income that the IRS exempts from tax, such as income from treaty fishing rights, is generally not reported. Most AI/AN Indian trust income and resources are not counted when determining eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP.
To qualify for Medicaid and CHIP, applicants may need to provide documentation of US citizenship. This can include a document issued by a federally recognized tribe indicating tribal membership or a certificate of degree of Indian blood issued by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Medicaid and CHIP agencies may also accept an individual's attestation regarding Indian status.
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Health services provided by the Indian Health Service
The Indian Health Service (IHS) is a federal health program that provides health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The IHS is an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services and is the principal federal healthcare provider and health advocate for Indian people. The IHS provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for American Indians and Alaska Natives, with a mission to raise their physical, mental, social, and spiritual health to the highest level.
To qualify for health benefits from the IHS, individuals must be of American Indian and/or Alaska Native descent and be a part of an Indian community serviced by the IHS. Individuals must provide evidence such as membership in a federally recognized tribe, residence on tax-exempt land, or active participation in tribal affairs. Non-Indians can also receive care if they are the child or spouse of an eligible Indian or if they are a non-Indian woman pregnant with an eligible Indian's child.
The IHS provides health services through IHS-run hospitals and clinics or tribal contracts to provide healthcare services. The services provided by the IHS include:
- Federally administered activities
- Healthcare facilities construction
- Resource- and patient-management systems
- Sanitation facilities construction
The IHS also provides support to students pursuing medical education to staff Indian health programs. The provision of health services to members of federally recognized tribes is based on the special government-to-government relationship between the federal government and Indian tribes, established in 1787 and further developed through treaties, laws, Supreme Court decisions, and Executive Orders.
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Health care coverage for Alaskan Natives
Alaskan Natives have access to health care coverage through various programs and services. These include the Indian Health Service (IHS), Tribal programs, and urban Indian organizations.
The Indian Health Service (IHS) is a federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services that provides comprehensive health services to federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native communities. IHS offers a range of medical, dental, behavioural, and public health services to eligible individuals and families.
Tribal programs and urban Indian organizations also play a crucial role in providing health care coverage to Alaskan Natives. These programs are often run by tribal governments or urban Indian health organizations and may include clinics, health centres, and other health resources.
In addition to IHS and tribal programs, Alaskan Natives can access health coverage through the Marketplace, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The Marketplace offers a range of health insurance plans, and members of federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native shareholders can enroll at any time. Medicaid and CHIP provide health coverage for qualifying federally recognized Alaskan Natives, and they do not require the payment of premiums, enrollment fees, or out-of-pocket costs for those eligible for IHS services.
To enroll in these programs, applicants may need to provide documentation of US citizenship and proof of tribal membership or affiliation. It is important to note that Alaskan Natives have special cost and eligibility rules for Medicaid and CHIP, making it easier to qualify for these programs. Additionally, by enrolling in health coverage through the Marketplace, Medicaid, or CHIP, Alaskan Natives can access a wider range of services that may not be available through IHS or tribal programs alone.
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Enrollment in health insurance plans
Alaskan Natives can avail of health insurance through the Indian Health Service (IHS), Tribal programs, or urban Indian programs (known as I/T/Us). There are also special cost and eligibility rules for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Alaskan Natives can enroll in a Marketplace plan at any time during the year. The yearly Open Enrollment Period runs from November 1 to January 15. However, members of federally recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) shareholders can enroll outside of this period.
To qualify for year-round enrollment and cost-sharing reductions, certain documentation must be provided to the Marketplace. This includes proof of U.S. citizenship and Tribal membership or affiliation.
When enrolling in a Marketplace plan, applicants will be asked to provide income information. However, American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) income that is exempt from tax by the IRS, such as income from treaty fishing rights, is generally not reported.
Alaskan Natives who enroll in a Marketplace plan, Medicaid, or CHIP can continue to access services from IHS, Tribes, and Tribal organizations, or urban Indian organizations. They can also access a wider range of providers and services on the Marketplace plan.
Additionally, there are advantages to enrolling in Marketplace coverage, such as the possibility of qualifying for a premium tax credit that lowers the monthly premium and extra savings on deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
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The Indian Health Service (IHS) and Tribal health programs
The Indian Health Service (IHS) is the Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives. The IHS works in conjunction with Alaska Native Tribes and Tribal Organisations (T/TO) to provide comprehensive health services to Alaska Natives. The Alaska Area IHS supports civil service employees and USPHS Commissioned Corps officers to help T/TOs provide health services.
The Alaska Area IHS maintains 11 Title I contracts with Alaska tribes and tribal organisations, and negotiates one Title V compact with 25 separate tribal funding agreements annually. There are 72 tribal health centres, 148 tribal community health aide clinics, and five residential substance abuse treatment centres. The Alaska Native Medical Centre in Anchorage is the state-wide referral centre for specialty care.
The Alaska Tribal Health Compact is a comprehensive health care system that serves all 228 federally recognised tribes in Alaska. IHS-funded, tribally-managed hospitals are located in Anchorage, Barrow, Bethel, Dillingham, Kotzebue, Nome, Sitka, and Wrangell.
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Frequently asked questions
The Indian Health Service is a Federal Health Program that provides comprehensive health services to federally recognized American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States.
The Indian Health Service works in conjunction with Alaska Native Tribes and Tribal Organisations to provide comprehensive health services to Alaska Natives. There are 72 tribal health centres, 148 tribal community health aide clinics, and five residential substance abuse treatment centres.
To qualify for IHS services, you must be a member of a federally recognized Tribe or be an Alaska Native and provide documentation of US citizenship.
