Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Return to Search

American Indian and Alaska Native Spotlight

Guidance for virtual training to business office staff, patient registration staff, HIM staff, and benefits coordinator in each IHS Area.

Issued by: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Issue Date: September 14, 2020

Background

CMS Announces Connecting Kids to Coverage Notice of Funding Opportunity

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Connecting Kids to Coverage (CKC) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The Outreach and Enrollment Cooperative Agreement program provides funding to reduce the number of children who are eligible for, but not enrolled in, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and to improve retention of eligible children, parents, and pregnant women who are enrolled in the programs. 

This CKC NOFO makes available $66.3 million ($8.29 in AI/AN grants funds and $58 million for broader grants) in cooperative agreements, up to $3 million, for a five-year period of performance to achieve these goals.

Eligibility for this grant opportunity includes:

  • State and local governments;
  • Indian tribes or tribal consortia, tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations receiving funds under title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, or Indian Health Service providers;
  • Federal health safety net organizations;
  • National, state, local, or community-based public or nonprofit private organizations, including organizations that use community health workers, community-based doula programs, or parent mentors;
  • Faith-based organizations or consortia; and
  • Elementary or secondary schools.

This funding will support innovative outreach strategies aimed at:

  • Educating families about the availability of free or low-cost health coverage under Medicaid and CHIP;
  • Identifying children likely to be eligible for these programs; and
  • Assisting families (including parents and pregnant women) to apply for and renew coverage.

The deadline for applicants is March 7, 2025.  Notice of Awards will be issued to grantees on July 1, 2025 and April 1, 2026.

If you received this as a forward, subscribe for updates here.

 

 

 

Introduction to the American Indian and Alaska Native Infographic Campaign

The Tribal Affairs Subcommittee of the CMS Rural Health Council produced the American Indian and Alaska Native Infographic Campaign a training on American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) terms and topics and was generated in response to the 2022 National Indian Health Board’s  AI/AN Health Equity Report recommendations to train CMS on Tribal affairs: https://www.nihb.org/docs/03212023/2023_CMS%20Health%20Equity%20Report_FINAL_508.pdf

The campaign consists of 11 Infographics that provide an overview of the Indian Health Service (IHS) and Tribal health delivery system, certain key terms and unique federal laws and authorities, and how CMS health programs benefit the IHS/Tribal health programs and AI/AN beneficiaries.  The purpose of the campaign is to educate CMS staff, State Medicaid agencies and other entities, further their learning, and connections to existing CMS Tribal health initiatives that work to improve Health Equity for AI/ANs.  Click here for 11 Infographics (PPTX) 

Background

AVAILABLE STAKEHOLDER RESOURCES

Check out our Partner Tools and Toolkits webpage! It includes a wide range of updated materials, including:

  • Virtual Event in a Box (PDF) The box includes instructions and links to Marketplace promotional materials in various languages to use at outreach and educational events.

  • Downloadable Materials: The materials include Marketplace promotional and customizable materials in various languages. Resources available include talking points, reference sheet, social media toolkit, graphics, and other promotional materials.
  • Reference Sheet (PDF): This document highlights resources to share with your partners.
  • Apply to become a Champion for Coverage: Apply to become a Champion for Coverage or encourage other organizations in your area to become Champion for Coverage!
  • Order Free Educational Materials: Order products and have them shipped directly to your organization.

AVAILABLE CONSUMER RESOURCES

Background

Do you or a family member currently have health coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)?

Is your mailing address up to date?

If so, you may soon need to take steps to find out if you can continue your coverage. Soon, states will resume Medicaid and CHIP eligibility reviews. This means some people with Medicaid or CHIP could be disenrolled from those programs. However, they may be eligible to buy a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace ®, and get help paying for it.


Here are some things you can do to prepare.

  • Make sure your address is up to date.
  • Make sure your state has your current mailing address, phone number, email, or other contact information. This way, they’ll be able to contact you about your Medicaid or CHIP coverage.

Get more information

  • Contact your state Medicaid office or visit Medicaid.gov for more information about Medicaid or CHIP renewal.
  • Call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 to get details about Marketplace coverage. TTY users can call 1-855-889-4325.
Background
we-can-do-this-banner

Help spread the word to promote COVID-19 vaccination so we can reach community immunity.

We Can Do This. We’re working to promote COVID-19 vaccine confidence, encourage prevention, and support our partners’ efforts to reach their communities.

Through strong partnerships with tribes and urban Indian organizations across Indian Country, the Indian Health Service has administered more than 1 million COVID-19 vaccines in Native communities, but there is still more work to do to reach community immunity.

You can help by:

 

HHS is committed to making its websites and documents accessible to the widest possible audience, including individuals with disabilities. We are in the process of retroactively making some documents accessible. If you need assistance accessing an accessible version of this document, please reach out to the guidance@hhs.gov.

DISCLAIMER: The contents of this database lack the force and effect of law, except as authorized by law (including Medicare Advantage Rate Announcements and Advance Notices) or as specifically incorporated into a contract. The Department may not cite, use, or rely on any guidance that is not posted on the guidance repository, except to establish historical facts.