Covering Indian Country – July 2023

July 2023

Spotlight: Keeping people covered

Now that states have resumed full Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) renewals, thousands of eligible individuals and families across Indian Country may lose their health coverage.

Making sure that individuals do not lose coverage solely as the result of administrative processes is absolutely crucial.

For that reason, we urge tribal communities to help make sure as many people as possible stay covered. To that end, CMS is promoting an All-Hands-on-Deck approach (PDF, 358 KB, 3 pp). IHS, tribal, and urban health care providers (IHCPs) can help American Indians and Alaska Natives keep their Medicaid and CHIP coverage by encouraging beneficiaries, especially those who are parents, to:

• UPDATE their contact information with their state Medicaid or CHIP agency
• RESPOND to the Medicaid/CHIP renewal form when it arrives, even if they don't think they're eligible, as their kids could still be eligible
• CONSIDER OTHER COVERAGE OPTIONS. If no longer eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, people should see if coverage is available through an employer, the Affordable Care Act Marketplace at HealthCare.gov or Medicare

Encouraging parents to complete the renewal form, regardless of their own eligibility, is crucial because their children may still be eligible for coverage.

Enrollment assisters at IHCPs are key to a successful unwinding period. Working with current enrollees to navigate the renewal process helps make sure that more people maintain health coverage. This is crucial because people with coverage are more likely to access benefits and get the services they need to stay well.

For information on the All-Hands-on-Deck strategies, download the fact sheet (PDF, 387 KB, 4 pp) and call to action (PDF, 358 KB, 3 pp) that CMS created.

In the event that someone loses their Medicaid or CHIP coverage for income-related reasons, please advise them to visit HealthCare.gov and apply for Marketplace coverage right away to avoid a lapse in coverage.

For more information about Marketplace cost-sharing protections, refer to Health Coverage Options for American Indians and Alaska Natives (PDF, 195 KB, 10 pp).

July: Powwow season

Share this ad in your newsletter or on your website. For more information, please visit the CMS Outreach and Education Resources page.

Health observances

National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, an ideal time to help decrease the stigma surrounding mental health care.

Shame and fear of judgment can deter people from seeking behavioral health care when they need it. That's why we encourage you to share the recording and slide presentation from the recent webinar titled The Importance of Reducing Stigma and Labels in Our Communities.

Presented by a certified peer recovery coach, the webinar highlights the need to create safe spaces for tribal community members who are experiencing behavioral health challenges.

Additional resources

Addressing asthma in tribal communities

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people are much more likely than White people to have asthma and die from it. To help address that disparity, the Learn More Breathe Better campaign includes AI/AN-specific resources, which: Explain why asthma disproportionately affects tribal communities Encourage AI/ANs with asthma to discuss a symptom-management plan with their health care provider

Tribal-specific human trafficking response guide

A resource to help tribal gaming and hospitality professionals prevent, recognize, and report human trafficking situations is now available online. Created with input from tribal leaders, tribal gaming employees, and Indigenous communities, the human trafficking response guide (PDF, 6.7 MB, 14 pp): Defines three different types of human trafficking Lists potential signs of human trafficking to be aware of Provides examples of how traffickers operate Explains how to report suspected human trafficking

Funding opportunities

Domestic violence tribal resource center

Deadline: July 31
View the domestic violence tribal resource center funding opportunity

Funds are available to support an Alaska Native Tribal Resource Center on Domestic Violence, which will provide information, training, and technical assistance to reduce disparities within Alaska Native communities and villages.

The Administration for Children & Families will issue one cooperative agreement for a three-year performance period. Tribes and tribal organizations are encouraged to apply.

Field-based child welfare initiative

Deadline: July 31
View the child welfare funding opportunity

Tribes and tribal organizations are encouraged to apply for funds to help traditionally underserved communities:

• Address issues of racial bias and inequity in the child welfare system
• Improve the safety, stability, and well-being of families

The Administration for Children & Families expects to award eight cooperative agreements for a five-year performance period. Grantees will be expected to involve community members and families who have personal experience with the child welfare system.

Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity

Deadline: August 1
View the Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity funding opportunity

The Office of Minority Health is offering two cooperative agreements to support a Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity.

One cooperative agreement focuses on American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations, the other on Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations.

Tribes and tribal organizations are encouraged to apply for the cooperative agreement with an AI/AN focus. The grantee will be expected to increase community capacity to identify and use culturally and linguistically appropriate interventions that address Indigenous health disparities.

CHAP planning and implementation

Deadline: August 1
View the CHAP planning and implementation funding opportunity

Funds are available to help with planning and implementation efforts to begin operating a community health aide program (CHAP) or support a growing CHAP in the contiguous 48 states.

IHS expects to award a total of three to five grants for a two-year performance period. Tribes and tribal organizations are eligible to apply.

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