Central ND News

Senator John Hoeven, along with Senators Mike Rounds, Maria Cantwell, and John Thune, has introduced the Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act to ensure that the Indian Health Service (IHS) reimburses tribal members for care sought outside of IHS in a timely manner. The bill aims to prevent tribal members from being burdened with medical debt when IHS fails to reimburse them for Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) claims within a reasonable timeframe.

The PRC program is an essential resource for tribal communities, providing supplementary healthcare resources outside of IHS facilities for eligible tribal members. However, the current system often results in delayed reimbursements, leaving tribal members responsible for medical expenses that should be covered by IHS.

Senator Hoeven emphasizes the importance of this legislation in improving healthcare and ensuring that IHS fulfills its commitment to provide timely and quality care in tribal communities. He states, "Our legislation would help ensure that tribal members receive reimbursements for approved outside health care services in a timely manner."

Senator Rounds echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that IHS has a responsibility to honor their commitment to care for tribal members. He explains, "Because of the strict standards for PRC claims, approved claims are few and far between. As such, it's crucial that IHS reimburses tribal members for outside care once it's approved."

The Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act aims to address these issues by holding IHS accountable and ensuring that tribal members receive timely reimbursements for approved outside care. The bill outlines specific measures to achieve this goal.

As the bill progresses through the legislative process, its sponsors and cosponsors are hopeful that it will bring about positive change for tribal members and improve the overall healthcare system in tribal communities.

The full text of the bill can be accessed here.