American Indians and Alaska Natives who are eligible for care through the Indian Health Service are not required to purchase insurance under the Affordable Care Act, according to a FAQ from Kaiser Health News.

The exemption applies to Native Americans who receive service directly from IHS, an urban Indian center or a tribal / Alaska Native operated health facility. It only includes members of federally recognized tribes or shareholders in Alaska Native corporations.

However, the Department of Health and Human Services has issued a final regulation that ensures other American Indians and Alaska Natives who are covered by the Indian Health Care Improvement Act can seek a "hardship exception" from the mandate.

Get the Story:
FAQ: How Will The Individual Mandate Work? (Kaiser Health News / The Washington Post 9/3)

Federal Register Notice:
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Exchange Functions: Eligibility for Exemptions; Miscellaneous Minimum Essential Coverage Provisions (July 1, 2013)

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