Spotlight

Upcoming CMS Division of Tribal Affairs (DTA) Events-Save the Dates! 

SAVE THE DATE

All Tribes Webinar: A Guide to Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage for Tribal Medicare Beneficiaries

Date: Monday, December 2, 2024

2:00-3:00 PM Eastern Time

Registration Link:

https://kauffmaninc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_O9adIDkvT06jLePKX8xx_g

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Division of Tribal Affairs, is holding this All Tribes Webinar on Monday, December 2, 2024 from 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Time to present a guide to original Medicare and Medicare Advantage for Tribal Medicare beneficiaries.

As a reminder, during the annual open enrollment period, which runs from October 15^th to December 7^th, Medicare beneficiaries can review and decide if they want to make changes to their current Medicare coverage. Changes made to your Medicare coverage will be effective on January 1^st of the following year. 

During the webinar, the presenter will discuss the differences between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage and how those differences impact Tribal Medicare beneficiaries and Indian Health Care Providers. This guide is intended to serve as a resource to help Tribal elders, caregivers, and assisters in knowing what information to consider while making important decisions above Medicare coverage.

For more information on getting started with Medicare, visit: Publications | Medicare

Materials related to this webinar will be posted at: https://www.cms.gov/training-education/partner-outreach-resources/american-indian-alaska-native/all-tribes-calls-webinars

SAVE THE DATE

All Tribes Consultation Webinar on Medicaid Coverage of Traditional Health Care Practices Received Through Indian Health Service Facilities, Tribal Facilities, and Urban Indian Organization Facilities 

Date: Thursday, October 31, 2024

2:00-3:00 PM Eastern Time

See presentation slides here: (PDF)

Please register for the webinar here: 

https://kauffmaninc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_duKeovpBSd-Boz9gc1H6xw

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Division of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with the CMS State Demonstrations Group, is holding an All Tribes Webinar to provide an overview of CMS’ approval of four state section 1115 demonstration amendments that allow, for the first time ever, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage of traditional health care practices received through Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities, Tribal facilities, and urban Indian organization facilities by Medicaid or CHIP eligible beneficiaries.

Background: 

American Indians and Alaska Natives experience significantly worse health disparities compared to the general population, including higher rates of obesity, diabetes, cancer, mental illnesses, substance use disorders, and suicide. Traditional health care practices, which can vary among federally recognized Tribes in the United States, can include, for example, the use of sweat lodges, smudging, talking circles, or herbal remedies. Studies have shown that such practices can help to improve mental health symptoms, health outcomes, and quality of life, including for individuals with substance use disorders.

Some Tribes see traditional health care practices as a fundamental element of the range of health care services that can help patients with specific physical and mental ailments. CMS’ demonstration approvals aim to improve health outcomes and access to culturally appropriate care for Tribal citizens.

During this webinar, CMS will provide an overview of the traditional health care practices demonstration coverage that was approved in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Oregon.

A copy of materials for this webinar, will be posted on the CMS AI/AN spotlight page. https://www.cms.gov/training-education/partner-outreach-resources/american-indian-alaska-native/spotlight

AVAILABLE STAKEHOLDER RESOURCES

Check out our Partner Tools and Toolkits webpage! It includes a wide range of updated materials, including:

• Virtual Event in a Box (PDF) The box includes instructions and links to Marketplace promotional materials in various languages to use at outreach and educational events.

• Downloadable Materials: The materials include Marketplace promotional and customizable materials in various languages. Resources available include talking points, reference sheet, social media toolkit, graphics, and other promotional materials.
• Reference Sheet (PDF): This document highlights resources to share with your partners.
• Apply to become a Champion for Coverage: Apply to become a Champion for Coverage or encourage other organizations in your area to become Champion for Coverage!
• Order Free Educational Materials: Order products and have them shipped directly to your organization.

AVAILABLE CONSUMER RESOURCES

• HealthCare.gov Blog: https://www.healthcare.gov/blog/get-ready-open-enrollment-is-less-than-2-weeks-away/

• Consumers can apply for health coverage: HealthCare.gov and CuidadoDeSalud.gov
• Find Local Help (Navigators, Certified Application Counselors, Agents & Brokers)
• 24/7 HealthCare.Gov Call Center: 1-800-318-2596 with assistance in over 200 languages, TTY: 1-855-889-4325

Do you or a family member currently have health coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)?

If so, you may soon need to take steps to find out if you can continue your coverage. Soon, states will resume Medicaid and CHIP eligibility reviews. This means some people with Medicaid or CHIP could be disenrolled from those programs. However, they may be eligible to buy a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace ®, and get help paying for it.

Here are some things you can do to prepare.

• Make sure your address is up to date.
• Make sure your state has your current mailing address, phone number, email, or other contact information. This way, they’ll be able to contact you about your Medicaid or CHIP coverage.

Get more information

• Contact your state Medicaid office or visit Medicaid.gov for more information about Medicaid or CHIP renewal.
• Call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 to get details about Marketplace coverage. TTY users can call 1-855-889-4325.

Help spread the word to promote COVID-19 vaccination so we can reach community immunity.

We Can Do This. We’re working to promote COVID-19 vaccine confidence, encourage prevention, and support our partners’ efforts to reach their communities.

Through strong partnerships with tribes and urban Indian organizations across Indian Country, the Indian Health Service has administered more than 1 million COVID-19 vaccines in Native communities, but there is still more work to do to reach community immunity.

You can help by:

• Visit Resources for American Indian/Alaska Native Tribal Leaders
• Joining the COVID-19 Community Corps and receive weekly emails featuring tips, news, and resources to share with your community.
• Using new social media profile frames to display your choice to get vaccinated and encourage your friends and family to do the same.