Native America Calling: Indian Health Service patients risk paying medical costs out of pocket

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Thursday, October 24, 2024

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IHS patients risk paying medical costs out of pocket

Every year, thousands of Native Americans are going without the health care they’re entitled to or are risking costly medical bills for treatment that should be covered.

A new report by KFF Health News focuses on the Purchased/Referred Care program in which patients seek outside treatment that the Indian Health Service doesn’t offer. The report says the PRC program denied more than $550 million in payment requests from outside medical facilities in 2022, putting patients on the hook financially.

Some tribes with resources are able to establish tribally-run care. Others are working on tribal health insurance programs.

Join Native America Calling to get a look at the problem facing those relying on IHS, and what can be done to solve it.

NEW: A North Dakota family owes more than $1,000 after learning that only the husband, not the wife and their newborn, is eligible for a program that helps patients afford care outside the Indian Health Service.@Ajzionts & @K_Hought report. ⤵️ https://t.co/EGxYlDE9UJ
— KFF Health News (@KFFHealthNews) September 5, 2024

Guests on Native America Calling

Misty Heiden (enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and a descendent of the Red Lake Nation, Leech Lake Tribe, White Earth Nation, Ponca, and Omaha)

Brian Gunn (member of the Colville Tribe), represents Indian tribes as principal at Powers Law Firm

Arielle  Zionts, rural health reporter with KFF Health News

Captain Joe Bryant, chief executive officer of the Clinton Indian Health Center, an Indian Health Service facility in Clinton, Oklahoma