Indian Health Service Raises Emergency Fund Limit Slightly
Published Date: 3/12/2026
Notice
Summary
The Indian Health Service raised the Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund (CHEF) threshold to $19,630 for Fiscal Year 2026. This means that medical costs from disasters or serious illnesses must exceed this amount before CHEF funds kick in. The increase reflects a 2.8% rise in medical care costs from last year, helping tribes and communities get the support they need on time and with enough money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
CHEF threshold raised to $19,630
If you are served by the Indian Health Service or a tribal program, medical costs from disasters or catastrophic illnesses must exceed $19,630 for Fiscal Year 2026 before Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund (CHEF) money will pay. The FY2026 threshold of $19,630 reflects a 2.8% increase in the medical care Consumer Price Index for the 12‑month period ending December 2024 and increased from $19,095 for FY2025 to $19,630 for FY2026.
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