Alternate Resource Assistance ...

Tribal Health works in concert with several federally funded, state managed health care programs available to low income or medically needy families. These programs offer assistance in covering health care costs, allowing the Tribal Health department to maximize funding received for direct and contract health care.

Some examples of alternate resources include but are not limited to: Medicare Part A (hospital), Part B (medical), and Part D (prescription), Medicaid, Veterans Administration, and CHIP. Another alternate resource is private insurance either through an employer or purchased by an individual from a private carrier for personal health care coverage.

Under the IHS Contract Health Service plan, each eligible participant is encouraged to obtain some form of alternative resource health care coverage. Since IHS is a “payer of last resort,” it is considered a secondary form of coverage behind any other coverage. Eligible participants enrolling in an alternate coverage plan maximize their access to health care services.

Questions or concerns regarding alternative resource benefit services may be directed to the Alternate Resource Beneficiary Specialists, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.. The internal management disbursal of beneficiary information is on a last name basis as follows:

A – L Betty Steele (406) 745-3525 ext. 5052
M – Z Diane Matt (406) 745-3525 ext. 5027

The primary goal of the Alternate Resource Beneficiary Specialists is to advocate for eligible participants and assist with the navigation and assessment of local health care systems.