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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2015)
S MOKE S IGNALS JANUARY 1, 2015 Save Our Skookum team ‘We look forward to working with you’ Photo by Michelle Alaimo From left, Sydney Clark, Certifi ed Applications assister, Tauni McCammon, Contract Health specialist, Erica Mercier, Contract Health specialist, Barbara Steere, Health Benefi ts specialist, Tresa Mercier, Health & Wellness Business Offi ce manager, Loretta Meneley, Certifi ed Application assister, and Melody Baker, Senior Contract Health specialist, are the Tribe’s Save Our Skookum team. Important tax exemption information for Native Americans 11 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 primary coverage. If you choose not to use an INP or receive services that are not covered by your primary insurance, you will be responsible 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 and alcohol services. Call IBH at 1-800-395- 1616 for a referral to an INP. Please help us educate Tribal members about this important pol- icy. 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, Na- turopathic care, Massage, Acupuncture, and outpatient drug and 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 An important announcement was made recently 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 the announcement, exemptions were available both to in- dividuals 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 SIXTEENTH ANNUAL TRADITIONAL WINTER POW-WOW HONORING NATIVE AMERICAN YOUTH AND STUDENT SUCCESS A PROGRAM OF THE PCC SYLVANIA MULTICULTURAL CENTER SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2015 Sylvania Campus Health Technology Building 12000 SW 49th Avenue Portland, Oregon 97219 971-722-4116 • General Public is Welcome • Free Admission and Parking • Raffle Prizes • American Sign Language Available • Native American Crafts and Food Vendors pcc.edu/powwow Doors Open at Noon Children’s Activities: Noon–9 p.m. College Fair: Noon–4 p.m. Grand Entries: 1 and 7 p.m. Community Dinner: 5:30 p.m. Master of Ceremonies: Bob Tom (Confederated Tribes of Siletz & Grand Ronde) Whip Man: Ed Goodell ( Confederated Tribes of Siletz) Co-Host Drums: Bulls and Bears & Northern Blackhorse Head Dancers: Harmony Paul & Victor Wilson Color Guard: Northwest Indian Veterans Association PCC Sylvania is a non-smoking campus. Portland Community College is an Affirmative Action, Equal Employment Opportunity Institution. If you have a disability that requires academic adjustments and services, please contact Disability Services as soon as possible for information regarding eligibility and deadlines to receive services. Some accommodations require several weeks to put into place. Call 971-722-4341 or by Video Phone at 503-928-5875.
