12
S moke S ignals
january 1, 2014
Save Our Skookum (SOS) Recreation Department
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is the point of making members apply for Oregon
Health Plan/Medicaid or other state coverage?
A: To save Tribal dollars. If you are eligible for a state plan, this
would become primary and pays claims before Skookum, which
saves Tribal funds.
Q: Does Tribal Council know you’re doing this to the mem-
bership?
A: Yes. This was a directive from Tribal Council. (We are doing this
FOR the membership … to benefit everyone by keeping the plan
sustainable.)
Q: What information can be submitted to the Skookum Sec-
ondary Payer Group if I don’t qualify for the state cover-
age?
A: Income verification, such as a pay stub or tax information showing
you are over the income limits would be acceptable.
Q: If I am an Elder receiving the Tribal Elder Pension, single
family of one, do I have to apply?
A: No, not if you are a single family of one, receiving the Tribal El-
der Pension. The Skookum Secondary Payer Group will verify your
pension information with Member Benefits.
Q: If I am a married Elder receiving Tribal Elders Pension,
and my spouse is working, do I have to apply?
A: If you are a family of two, receiving Tribal Elders Pension, the
Skookum Secondary Payer Group will need to verify income informa-
tion for your household to help determine whether or not you need
to apply for OHP/Medicaid.
Q: If I have a primary insurance, do I have to apply?
A: No, not at this time. This will only affect Tribal members using
Skookum as their only coverage.
Q: Isn’t my Skookum Health Program benefit insurance cov-
erage?
A: No, Skookum is not an insurance plan, therefore, it is not consid-
ered to be insurance by definition. You should not reference Skookum
as insurance, as it is not. It is a benefit you receive from the Tribe
because you are an enrolled Tribal member.
Q: What happens if I do not comply?
A: Your claims will be suspended in a pending status at Shasta and
not paid until you fulfill your obligation. Once it is confirmed that
you have fulfilled your obligation, we will instruct Shasta to process
and pay your claims.
Q: I might be getting a job soon; if I do, should I drop my
Medicaid?
A: Keep your Medicaid until you have new coverage in effect and
notify Medicaid of your change in status.
Q: How do I apply for Medicaid?
A: Many states have an online application and eligibility information
or you can call the Department of Human Services in your state to
learn about what is available to you.
Q: Will there be Tribal staff available to answer my questions
about applying for Medicaid?
A: Yes, there will be Tribal staff available to assist you with ques-
tions.
Q: Am I required to pay for insurance through my employ-
er?
A: We encourage those Tribal members with alternate resources,
such as employer sponsored insurance, to enroll in those plans and
use Skookum as a secondary coverage to pay for any balances that
are patient responsibility. But, at this time, you aren’t required to
enroll in your employer plan if there is an associated premium that
you must pay. (But you may certainly choose to.) n
hosts Walking Club
The Tribal Recreation Department is hosting a Walking Club, which is a
competitive and social activity to track steps and miles walked per day.
The club focuses on low-level impact exercise for beginners with the goal
of transitioning Walking Club participants into other fitness activities that
are offered by the Recreation Department.
Levels of participation vary from individual and team steps, as well as
individual and team miles. Teams consist of three individuals.
The Recreation Department encourages people to sign up since it will
be an ongoing activity. Pedometers are available to new participants one
week after they sign up.
At the end of each month, prizes are awarded.
In addition, Weighted Wednesdays are a way for people setting appropri-
ate weight goals to reach their goal by the end of the month. Participants
are encouraged to stop by the Youth Education Building to track their
weight and body mass index.
Weight is taken privately with only a recreation assistant present and
all information is kept confidential. Like the Walking Club, prizes will
be awarded each month to those with the most amount of fat percentage
lost.
For more information or to sign up, contact Recreation Assistant Kendra
Steele at 503-879-1921. n
Adult Members’ Trust and Minors’
Custodial & Rabbi Trust Funds
Investments in the Adult Members’ Trust Fund and the Minors’
Custodial and Rabbi Trust Funds are updated each business day.
If you are a trust participant and/or if you are the parent/guard-
ian of a minor member, you can access and review your balance and
your minor child’s balance by visiting www.401Save.com.
To log-in, the initial User ID is your (or your child’s) Social Security
number, and the initial Password is “00” followed by your (or your
child’s) membership number. Once logged in, you can customize
your User ID and password for security purposes.
If you have any trouble logging in to or using the system, contact
the 401Save Call Center at 1-888-700-0808 between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. n
Thank you to everyone that has responded to this effort and/
or provided necessary documentation. We look forwarding to
hearing from you! Please call with your questions.
Health Plan Secondary Payer Team
time, you Skookum
aren’t required
to enroll in your employer plan if there is an associated
Barbara Steere 503-879-2487; Tauni McCammon 503-879-1406;
Erica Mercier 503-879-2080; Melody Baker 503-879-2011;
Tresa Mercier 503-879-2008.
Save Our Skookum