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.