Outreach and Education Resources

The Outreach and Education Resources page provides access to outreach materials and resources to support the efforts of Indian health care providers and application assisters to enroll American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) into programs administered by CMS. Congress has enacted Indian-specific provisions to eliminate barriers and ensure improved access and enrollment of AI/ANs into Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Health Insurance Marketplace. The resources are sorted by specific outreach topics below, such as the health insurance Marketplace, Medicaid and CHIP, Medicare, and AI/AN health coverage data.

Even with these statutory provisions to address barriers to enrollment, AI/ANs have high rates of un-insurance in the United States. For instance, in 2015, 21% of AI/ANs (down from 43% in 2013) were uninsured, which is nearly twice the rate for African Americans, and approximately 12% more than the rate of non-Hispanic Whites. In addition, AI/ANs experience greater health disparities (e.g., diabetes and chronic liver disease) and higher mortality rates than other Americans.

Enrollment Matters

Enrollment in CMS programs benefits AI/AN individuals, their families, and their communities. Enrollment helps reduce health disparities and improves health status by providing AI/ANs with greater access to preventive and specialty care. Indian health care providers who enroll their patients can use the saved funding and resources on uninsured patients. Read more strategies to enroll AI/AN families and children (PDF, 136KB).

Health coverage through CMS programs ensures that AI/ANs can get health care when and where they need it. CMS provides these outreach and education materials to help you reach out to AI/ANs who are eligible for, but not enrolled in, CMS programs.