Affordable Care Act

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act) contains numerous provisions of importance to American Indians/Alaska Natives. CMS seeks to keep Indian Country informed on the important improvements to health care relevant to CMS programs in Indian Country such as Medicaid expansion and Indian-specific Medicare charges.

If you are an American Indian or an Alaska Native you may have new health insurance benefits and special protections in the Marketplace.  Some benefits are available to members of federally recognized tribes.  Others are available to people of Indian descent or who are otherwise eligible for services from the Indian Health Service, tribal program, or urban Indian health program.  

For Marketplace Indian specific information go to https://www.healthcare.gov

Information and Tips for Assisters: Working with American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN)

We posted a new resource to our Technical Assistance Resources page. Information for American Indians and Alaska Natives Applying for Coverage (PDF) provides background information about existing and new options for AI/ANs related to affordable health coverage. The Marketplace provides certain protections specifically for AI/ANs. The tip sheet highlights these protections, how assisters can help AI/ANs submit their documentation to support Marketplace applications, and other resources.  

Healthcare.gov

A new question and answer (Q&A) regarding the Special Enrollment Period for American Indian and Alaska Native families has been posted on https://www.healthcare.gov

The Q&A explains that for those families that apply through the Federal-facilitated Marketplace, if one family member on the application is eligible for the Special Enrollment Period (SEP), all family members who apply on the same Marketplace application would be eligible for the SEP if otherwise eligible to enroll in a QHP.  The Q&A explains that for those who enroll in a state based marketplace, you will need to contact your state regarding whether this policy applies. 

To read the Q&A, please visit https://www.healthcare.gov/american-indians-alaska-natives/#question=tribal-member-mixed-family