S moke S ignals
june 15, 2014
FAQs regarding the Affordable
Care Act (ACA)and Skookum
Health Assistance Program
Question: What if I already have insurance through my job or am
already on Medicaid?
Answer: If you have health insurance through your employer or have
health care through a government-sponsored program, such as Medi-
care, Medicaid, CHIP, Veterans Affairs or TRICARE, there is nothing
you need to do – you are covered.
Question: I have Contract Health Services. Do I still need to apply?
Answer: Yes, if you do not have primary insurance coverage, you will
need to apply.
Question: Isn’t my Skookum Health Assistance Program an insur-
ance?
Answer: No, Skookum is not an insurance plan. Therefore, it is not
considered to be insurance by definition. You should not reference
Skookum as insurance, as it is not. It is assistance you receive from
the Tribe because you are an enrolled Tribal member.
Question: Am I required to pay for insurance through my employer?
Answer: We encourage 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.
Question: I’m an American Indian/Alaska Native. What do I need to
know about the Health Insurance Marketplace?
Answer: The Health Insurance Marketplace will benefit American
Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) by providing opportunities for
enrolling in affordable health coverage. You might be eligible to enroll
in a private health plan in the new Health Insurance Marketplace, or
you might be eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance
Program (CHIP). There will be one application to determine whether
you are eligible for a marketplace health plan, Medicaid or CHIP.
Question: What are the special protections for AI/ANs who enroll in
the Health Insurance Marketplace?
Answer: Members of federally recognized Tribes with a household
income at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level (roughly
$70,650 for a family of 4 in 2013 or $88,320 for the same family in
Alaska) who are also eligible for the tax credit won’t have any out-of-
pocket costs like co-pays, co-insurance or deductibles for services
covered by their Marketplace health plan.
Question: How can I apply for an exemption from the shared respon-
sibility payment?
Answer: To get an exemption, members of federally recognized Tribes
may apply through the Marketplace or provide the appropriate informa-
tion when they file their federal income tax return. AI/ANs who aren’t
members of federally recognized Tribes, but who are eligible for or get
services from an I/T/U, (Indian Health Service, Tribal clinic or urban
Indian clinic) must apply through the Marketplace and will need to verify
their AI/AN status or eligibility for services through an I/T/U.
Question: Will I be able to get assistance with paying the cost of my
premium if I enroll in a Marketplace health plan?
Answer: While AI/ANs are NOT exempt from paying premiums, they
may be able to get lower costs on monthly premiums through a new tax
credit that is paid to insurance plans each month to reduce an individ-
ual’s premium. Eligibility for the tax credit depends on income, family
size and access to other coverage. Members of federally recognized
Tribes can use tax credits to pay for premiums on certain plans and
still receive cost-sharing reductions as well. The type of cost-sharing
reduction depends on income and whether an individual is enrolled in
a zero cost-sharing plan or limited cost-sharing plan.
Question: Are there special protections for AI/ANs who enroll in
Medicaid?
Answer: AI/ANs who are eligible for or get services from an I/T/U,
including Contract Health Services, are exempt from Medicaid pre-
miums and enrollment fees and, if they have ever used one of these
programs, they are also exempt from other cost sharing, such as co-
payments, co-insurance, and deductibles. Certain Indian resources and
payments are not counted for Medicaid eligibility. AI/ANs can continue
to get services through an I/T/U even if the I/T/U is not a provider in a
managed care network.
Links to assist you in learning more about
the ACA and Marketplace products:
• www.healthcare.gov: Click on see plans now;
• www.coveroregon.com: Go to learn more and click on the link.
If you have questions, please contact
• Tresa Mercier, tresa.mercier@grandronde.org
• Loretta Meneley, loretta.meneley@grandronde.org
• Melody Baker, melody.baker@grandronde.or
• Barbara Steere, barbara.steere@grandronde.org
Or call 800-775-0095 to speak to anyone listed above.
15
Request for qualifications
The Tribe is seeking Requests for Qualifications from individuals
interested in serving as the Chief Judge of the Tribal Court. This
is a part-time, Tribal Council-appointed position with a term of
two years. To obtain a copy of the RFQ, contact Angela Fasana at
503-879-4596 or angela.fasana@grandronde.org. Proposals must be
received by 5 p.m. June 27, 2014. n
Firewood Permits
Attention firewood permit holders! According to the National Inter-
agency Fire Center, Oregon is expected to have an “above normal fire
potential” beginning in June. With this forecast and an abundance of
fuel wood available, we are encouraging valid permit holders to fill the
issued permits as soon as reasonably possible to avoid a closure due to
fire season. For questions or to obtain a firewood permit, contact Natural
Resources at 503-879-2424 or visit www.grandronde.org/departments/
natural-resources/. As a reminder, firewood permits are issued to all
Grand Ronde Tribal members for personal use and may not exceed five
cords in a calendar year. n
Two Tribal youths
honored by uNITY
Tribal member Savannah Ingram and local youth SuSun Fisher, who is a
member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz, are among the 2014 inaugural
class of UNITY’s 25 Under 25 Native Youth Leadership Awards.
The United National Indian Tribal Youth awards recognize Native American
and Alaskan Native youths between 14 and 24 who embody UNITY’s core
mission and exude living a balanced life developing their spiritual, mental,
physical and social well-being.
They will be recognized at a ceremony during the UNITY national confer-
ence being held in Portland from June 28 through July 3. Each will receive a
hand-made beaded “25 Under 25” medallion. They will join more than 1,300
Native youth who are attending the national conference for a full week of
youth leadership development, featuring Tribal leaders, expert trainers and
Native youth peers from throughout the country.
In addition to being recognized, Ingram and Fisher will receive special
training from UNITY over the next year that is designed to build on their
individual achievements.
Ingram, 18, lives in Gresham and has been serving as Senior Veterans
Queen. She is Kalapuya, Umpqua, Chinook and Rogue River.
Fisher, 15, lives in Grand Ronde and is a member of the Siletz Royalty and
participates in many Grand Ronde Canoe Family events. n
CTGR Recreation Department
Gymnasium-Fitness Center
Hours/Access Updates
Hours of Operation:
6am – 9pm Monday – Friday
8am – 12pm Saturday
Closed
Sunday
*Hours of Operation are subject to change without notice due to scheduled events.
Fitness Center Access:
Tribal/Community 6am – 8am & 5pm-9pm (Monday-Friday) Contact Security
8am – 5pm (Monday-Friday)
Contact Recreation/YED
8am – 12pm (Saturday)
Contact Security
*Access is granted to Tribal/Community Members only during the hours above.
Everyone who enters the gym or fitness center from 6am-8am & 5pm-9pm must sign-in.
CTGR Employees
Access by Employee Badge
*In the event your employee badge does not grant access to the gym after hours,
contact Security, show your employee badge, and the officer on duty will let you in.
Age Access Policy:
MUST Be 18 years or older to be in the Fitness Center
Youth 13-17 may use the Fitness Center with adult supervision (over 18)
Youth 8-12 may access the Fitness Center with adult supervision, but
may not use equipment.
Youth ages 7 and under are not permitted in the Fitness Center
Contact information:
Recreation Staff
Recreation Coordinator
Recreation Assistant
(Matt Mosley)
(Kendra Steele)
503-879-1369
503-879-1921
YED Front Desk
Administrative Assistant
(Tiffany Mercier)
503-879-2101
Security
503-879-2183