S moke S ignals
MARCH 1, 2017
Discontinuing IBH Services
for Skookum Health
Assistance Program
Please remember that if you are in need of mental health or alcohol
and drug treatment, you need to call Shasta Customer Service for an
in-network provider before receiving services.
Do not call IBH. This information was recently ran in Smoke Signals
and provided in a letter from Shasta Administrative Services with your
new Skookum Health Assistance Program cards mailed in December.
If you did not receive your new card, please contact Shasta Customer
Service at 1-800-880-5877.
If you have questions, please call Tresa Mercier, 503-879-2008, or
Barbara Steere, 503-879-2487.
Safety first!
For the safety of our Grand Ronde Health & Wellness Center patients
and staff during inclement weather, please call before traveling to your
appointments. We don’t want you traveling if we are not open.
Please call 503-879-5211 for up-to-date, weather-related closures
or delays. You can sign up and receive emergency alerts and severe
weather warnings that could affect you or your family. Just go to www.
grandronde.org to sign up.
Two optometrists available
Did you know that the Health & Wellness Center’s Optometry
Department has two optometrists and appointments available
in as soon as a week? If you are tired of squinting,
give them a call at 503-879-2097.
Get your appointment scheduled today!
21
Information about Skookum
coverage and your taxes
You’ll answer a question about your 2016 health coverage when you
file your federal income tax return. If you didn’t have a minimum level of
health coverage for all of 2016, your taxes could be affected. It’s important
to remember the Skookum Health Assistance Program is NOT health
insurance. It is a payer of last resort, which means any other coverage
pays before Skookum. Requiring members to apply for and use primary
coverage before Skookum will ensure the Skookum Health Assistance
Program is sustainable and available for years to come.
You don’t have to pay the fee if you get an exemption
American Indians and Alaska Natives who are eligible to receive ser-
vices from an Indian health care provider will be exempt from the “shared
responsibility payment.” To receive an exemption, members of federally
recognized Tribes may apply through the marketplace or handle this
through the tax filing process.
Individuals who are not members of federally recognized Tribes, but are
eligible to receive services from an Indian health care provider must apply
for an exemption through the marketplace. American Indians and Alaska
Natives receiving the exemption can be enrolled in Medicaid, CHIP or
QHP offered through the health insurance marketplace if deemed eligible.
When filing taxes, you will want to use form 8965 Health Coverage Ex-
emptions part III. Exemption type (E) check box (d) for full year.
This form will be available whether you do your taxes yourself through
TurboTax, etc., or if you go to a certified public accountant (tax preparers,
H&R Block, etc.)
For more information on filing for a tax exemption, call Loretta Meneley
503-879-1359 or e-mail loretta.meneley@grandronde.org.
Pharmacy in transition
The Grand Ronde Health & Wellness Pharmacy is currently in a staff
and process improvement transition. We are working hard to improve
service delivery to our patients.
Please have patience if wait times are slightly longer than usual.
Massage at Health & Wellness Center
Mind, Body & Soul Therapeutic Massage started at the Health & Well-
ness Clinic last year. Remember: Appointments for massage are not
managed by the Health & Wellness Center staff. To schedule an appoint-
ment, call 971-237-2561.
Join our nursing staff in the Clinic’s Atrium
Wednesday March 22, 2017
11 a.m.– 1:30 p.m.
High Fiber Snacks
Prizes
Colorectal Cancer Information
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