Title 25IndiansRelease 119-73

§1621l Patient travel costs

Title 25 › Chapter CHAPTER 18— - INDIAN HEALTH CARE › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - HEALTH SERVICES › § 1621l

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The agency that runs Indian Health Service and Tribal Health Programs can pay patient travel costs for care under this law. It can also pay for a "qualified escort" — an adult needed because of the patient’s age or condition, a health professional who provides care during travel, or escorts the agency approves. Covered travel includes emergency or needed air transport, private cars when no other option exists, specially equipped vehicles, ambulances, and methods used if air or motor transport is not available.

Full Legal Text

Title 25, §1621l

Indians — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In this section, the term “qualified escort” means—
(1)an adult escort (including a parent, guardian, or other family member) who is required because of the physical or mental condition, or age, of the applicable patient;
(2)a health professional for the purpose of providing necessary medical care during travel by the applicable patient; or
(3)other escorts, as the Secretary or applicable Indian Health Program determines to be appropriate.
(b)The Secretary, acting through the Service and Tribal Health Programs, is authorized to provide funds for the following patient travel costs, including qualified escorts, associated with receiving health care services provided (either through direct or contract care or through a contract or compact under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.)) 11 See References in Text note below. under this chapter—
(1)emergency air transportation and non-emergency air transportation where ground transportation is infeasible;
(2)transportation by private vehicle (where no other means of transportation is available), specially equipped vehicle, and ambulance; and
(3)transportation by such other means as may be available and required when air or motor vehicle transportation is not available.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.), referred to in subsec. (b), is Pub. L. 93–638, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2203, which was classified principally to subchapter II (§ 450 et seq.) of chapter 14 of this title prior to editorial reclassification as chapter 46 (§ 5301 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 5301 of this title and Tables. This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 94–437, Sept. 30, 1976, 90 Stat. 1400, known as the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 1601 of this title and Tables. Codification Amendment by Pub. L. 111–148 is based on section 101(c)(2) and 129 of title I of S. 1790, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, as reported by the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate in Dec. 2009, which were enacted into law by section 10221(a) of Pub. L. 111–148.

Amendments

2010—Pub. L. 111–148 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section directed Secretary to provide funds for patient travel costs for emergency air transportation and nonemergency air transportation where ground transportation was infeasible and authorized appropriations for fiscal years 1993 to 2000. Pub. L. 111–148 substituted “The Secretary” for “(a) The Secretary” prior to general amendment of section. See above.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

25 U.S.C. § 1621l

Title 25Indians

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73