S moke S ignals
MARCH 15, 2017
Applications Assister
sets Portland dates
Certified Applications Assister Loretta Meneley will be at the Portland
area office, 4445 S.W. Barbur Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday,
March 15, and Thursday, March 30, as well as Wednesday, April 12, and
Tuesday, April 25, to help Tribal members with medical information and
applications.
For more information, contact Tribal Services Representative Lisa
Archuleta at 503-879-1881 or lisa.archuleta@grandronde.org.
Skookum seeks help with
myriad bad addresses
In mid-December, the Skookum Health Assistance Program mailed
new cards to all Tribal members on the program. These cards need
to replace older Skookum cards. The new card has important infor-
mation regarding program changes. Skookum has received a lot of
returned mail with the new cards.
If you did not receive a new Skookum card in December, please
contact Barbara Steere at 503-879-2487 or Tresa Mercier at 503-
879-2008 to update your address.
We need to send you your new Skookum Health Assistance Pro-
gram card as soon as possible.
Thank you!
Patient Satisfaction
Survey coming soon
The Health & Wellness Center will be conducting a patient satisfaction
survey. The survey will be available at the health clinic and on the Tribal
website through Survey Monkey starting on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.
We look forward to hearing from you.
21
Skookum denials
If you have received a denial from the Skookum Health Assistance
Program for payment of health services and you feel that your ser-
vices should not have been denied, please contact one of the Save
Our Skookum team members:
• Barbara Steere – 503-879-2487
• Melody Baker – 503-879-2011
• Tresa Mercier – 504-879-2008
• Tauni McCammon – 503-879-1406
• Erica Mercier – 503-879-2080
It is important that you call as soon as you receive a denial. The
older bills are, the better chance of them being turned into collec-
tions. You are always welcome to call with questions.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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.
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
Ad created by George Valdez