The bill would change payment rules for care arranged through the Indian Health Service (IHS), called purchased/referred care. It would state that patients are not liable for charges for this care, even if they signed an agreement or other document. Within 120 days of enactment, the Secretary of Health and Human Services would have to create a process to reimburse patients for out-of-pocket payments for IHS-authorized care. Patients would receive reimbursement within 30 days after submitting documentation electronically or in person at an IHS facility. These reimbursement rules would not apply to programs run by Tribes under certain contracts or compacts unless the Tribe agrees. The changes would apply to covered services provided before, on, or after enactment. The bill would also update terminology in related law and agency materials.
Patients who paid out of pocket for IHS-authorized purchased/referred care could seek reimbursement through the required process. The bill would also protect patients from liability for charges for this care. The reimbursement process would not automatically cover Tribe-run programs unless the Tribe agrees.
The bill does not provide a cost estimate. It would require the Secretary to reimburse eligible patients and update related materials.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.