IHS Issues Multiple ‘Dear Tribal Leader Letters’ initiating Tribal Consultation on Several Initiatives

On July 29th, the Indian Health Service (IHS) released several ‘Dear Tribal Leader Letters’ updating Tribes on several Tribal consultation opportunities regarding recent policy proposals put forth by IHS.

First, IHS has extended the consultation period for its Tribal Premium Sponsorship Draft Circular. Tribal Premium Sponsorship occurs when a Tribe pays health insurance premiums on behalf of its IHS eligible members. By enrolling members in health insurance, it increases third party revenue to the IHS/Tribal facility which allows them to extend the services that they provide. Tribes have until October 31, 2016 to provide comment on this draft circular. In addition, an in-person Tribal consultation opportunity will be available at NIHB’s National Tribal Health Conference on September 19, 2016.

Second, IHS has extended the consultation period for its Community Health Aide Program (CHAP) draft policy until October 27, 2016. IHS proposes to expand the CHAP program that has been so successful in Alaska to the lower 48 states. NIHB has held several calls on the CHAP program to provide more information to Tribes and assist in the comment making process. Further webinar opportunities are in development and will be shared as soon as we have more information. IHS will have an in-person consultation opportunity for Tribes at NIHB’s National Tribal Health Conference on September 19, 2016.

Third, IHS has confirmed several consultation opportunities for Tribes to engage with IHS on its proposed new Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund (CHEF) policy, including several telephone sessions and an in-person session at NIHB’s National Tribal Health Conference on September 19, 2016.

A summary of the new deadlines and consultation activities is below.

1. Tribal Premium Sponsorship Consultation – Tribal Comments Due October 31, 2016

• The 1st consultation session will be held at the National Indian Health Board Annual Consumer Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, on September 19, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.

• The second consultation session will be held at the National Congress of American Indians 73rd Annual Convention and Marketplace in Phoenix, Arizona, on October 9, 2016, from 3:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

2. Community Health Aide Program (CHAP) – Tribal Comments Due October 27, 2016

• Telephone Tribal Consultation/Urban Confer session Call Date: October 4, 2016 (Tuesday)
  Call Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  Eastern Call In Number: 1-888-955-8942 Participant Passcode: 9659843

• In Person Tribal Consultation/Urban Confer sessions
  National Indian Health Board Consumer Conference on September 19, 2016, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., in
  • Scottsdale, Arizona.
    National Congress of American Indians 73rd Annual Convention and Marketplace scheduled for October 9, 2016, from 2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. in Phoenix, Arizona.

3. Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund (CHEF)

Telephone Tribal Consultation Sessions

• Call Date: Tuesday, August 16, 2016
• Call Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)
• Call In Number: (888) 790-3108
• Participant Passcode: 4110567

• Call Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)
• Call In Number: (888) 790-3108
• Participant Passcode: 4110567
• Call Date: Monday, October 24, 2016

In Person Tribal Consultation Sessions

• National Indian Health Board Consumer Conference on September 19, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m., in Scottsdale, Arizona.

• National Congress of American Indians 73rd Annual Convention and Marketplace scheduled for October 9, 2016, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., in Phoenix, Arizona.

For more information, click on this link.