S MOKE S IGNALS
NOVEMBER 15, 2014
Important tax exemption
information for Native Americans
An important announcement was made last week by Health and
Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell that individuals eligible to
receive health care from an Indian Health Service, Tribal or urban
Indian health care provider will be able to claim an exemption from the
shared responsibility payment through the tax fi ling process starting
with the 2014 tax year.
This benefi t gives individuals who are eligible to receive services
from an Indian health care provider, including the IHS and Tribal clin-
ics, the same fi ling option as members of federally recognized Tribes
(including Alaska Native shareholders). Both groups will continue to
have the option of submitting the exemption application through the
Health Insurance Marketplace.
Before last week’s announcement, exemptions were available both
to individuals who were members of a federally recognized Tribe
and to individuals who are eligible to receive services from an Indian
health care provider. But members of a Tribe were able to claim an
exemption through the federal tax fi ling process while individuals who
are eligible to receive services from an Indian health care provider
were required to obtain this exemption through the Health Insurance
Marketplace by fi ling a paper application.
The availability of the tax fi ling process to apply for the Indian
health care exemption will save time and reduce the duplication of
effort. Individuals intending to claim this exemption through the tax
fi ling process should retain the same documentation that they would
otherwise submit to the marketplace as part of their exemption appli-
cation. Above is a diagram to illustrate how to meet Affordable Care
Act requirements for all Americans and individuals eligible for IHS.
If you have questions about the exemption, call Loretta Meneley,
Certifi ed Application Assister, at 800-775-0095 or 503-879-1359. n
ATTENTION TRIBAL MEMBERS
WITH CONTRACT HEALTH SERVICES
During the last year, there have been many changes in the health
care system across the nation, but one thing remains the same, the
rising cost of health care. The Affordable Health Care Act has many
benefi ts available to Native Americans, which will help us stretch
Contract Health Services and Tribal dollars spent on health care.
Health care has long been a priority of the Tribe and to maintain
the services we receive, we all have to do our part.
As most of you are aware, CHS is a federally funded program and
a payer of last resort. With all of the health care changes recently,
we would like to take a minute to remind you that ANY alternate
resource you have will need to be utilized correctly. That means you
need to receive care from in-network providers (INP) with your pri-
mary coverage. If you choose not to use an INP or receive services
that are not covered by your primary insurance, you will be respon-
sible for patient balances.
A CHS policy has been adopted that CHS-eligible members must
coordinate and receive counseling or in-patient drug and alcohol
services from an INP through Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH).
If you choose not to receive services from an INP, you will be re-
sponsible for any out-of-network costs (30 percent) of the bill. It is
very important that you contact IBH before seeking counseling or
any in-patient drug & alcohol services. Call IBH at 1-800-395-1616
for a referral to an INP. Please help us educate Tribal members
about this important policy. If you have a family member or friend
needing mental health or drug and alcohol services, please share
this information and have them contact IBH or CHS staff and we
will help guide them through the process.
CHS also wants to remind you that there are some services that
are not covered by CHS, but are covered by the Skookum Health
Assistance Program. They are as follows: Chiropractic care, Naturo-
pathic care, Massage, Acupuncture, and outpatient drug & alcohol
treatment. This does not mean that you cannot use those services;
it simply means that CHS will not be responsible for any patient
balances. You can still keep those appointments, you just need to
pay whatever your patient responsibility is. We understand that
this can all be a little confusing, so please feel free to give us a call if
you have ANY questions and we’ll be happy to help.
Tresa (Teri) Mercier – 503-879-2008
Melody Baker – 503-879-2011
Tauni McCammon – 503-879-1406
Erica Mercier – 503-879-2080
Land & Culture Department
Oral History Project
Youth Education’s Annual Fall
Community Service Project is here
Socktoberfest
2014
In honor of our Tribal Veterans, the Tribe would like to memorialize their
stories for our future generations.
Who:
All Tribal Veterans and their families
What: We would like to record your story for inclusion in the Tribe’s
cultural and historical collections.
Where: We have dedicated a room at Chachalu for recording oral
histories. It is set up for both audio only and video recordings.
Additionally we have mobile audio equipment for those who
wish to participate but are unable to travel to Chachalu.
How:
Contact Reina Nelson at 503-879-2226 to schedule a time to
record your history.
Accepting donations
through November 20 th
Socktoberfest is a youth service project to assist
the Grand Ronde Community Clothes Closet
Bring your donations to the Youth Education
Building, (Mondays through Fridays 8am-5pm)
We are in need of new socks for all seasons.
For kids, teens and adults, work socks, dress socks,
all sizes, styles and colors would be greatly appreciated.
Only new items, please.
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
Land and Culture Department
Chachalu: Tribal Museum and Cultural Center
8720 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347
Phone: 503-879-2226
Fax: 503-879-2126
E-mail: landandculture@grandronde.org
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