IHS Expands Health Care Access for Chippewa Cree Tribe Members

2025-21314 — Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund (CHEF) Threshold

The Indian Health Service raised the Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund (CHEF) threshold to $19,095 for Fiscal Year 2025, up slightly from last year. This change affects healthcare providers treating disaster or serious illness victims under IHS care, meaning they need to meet this new cost level to request CHEF funds. The update reflects a small 0.5% rise in medical costs from last year, keeping support fair and ready for emergencies.

2025-11868 — Notice of Purchased/Referred Care Delivery Area Redesignation for the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska

The Indian Health Service is expanding the care area for the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska. This means more Tribal members in new counties can now get special health services paid for by the government. The change includes parts of Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska and helps more people get the care they need without extra costs.

2025-11889 — Notice of Purchased/Referred Care Delivery Area Redesignation for the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska

The Indian Health Service is expanding the care area for the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska to include new counties in Kansas and Missouri. This means more tribal members can get health services paid for by the government. The change starts now, making it easier and better for the Tribe to access care without extra costs.

2025-11747 — Notice of Purchased/Referred Care Delivery Area Redesignation for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Indian Reservation in Idaho

The Indian Health Service is expanding the area where Shoshone-Bannock Tribal members in Idaho can get special health care services paid for by the government. This means more counties are included, so more people can access care when they need it. The change starts now and helps make sure tribal members get the health support they deserve without extra costs.

2026-01178 — Reimbursement Rates for Calendar Year 2026

Starting in 2026, the Indian Health Service is updating how much it pays for hospital and clinic visits for Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal program patients. Inpatient and outpatient rates are set higher for both the Lower 48 States and Alaska, with special add-ons for costly drugs at IHS and Tribal hospitals. These changes mean better support for medical care costs, kicking in January 1, 2026.

2026-04827 — Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund (CHEF) Fiscal Year 2026 Threshold

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.

Previous: 2025-11865 — Secretarial Comments on the CBE's (Battelle Memorial Institute) 2024 Activities: Report to Congress and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services

The Secretary of Health and Human Services reviewed Battelle Memorial Institute’s 2024 report about their work and shared comments publicly. This update affects people involved in health policy and shows the government is keeping an eye on important health activities. The report was published within six months of receipt, meeting legal deadlines but doesn’t mean the Secretary agrees with everything inside.

Next: 2025-11868 — Notice of Purchased/Referred Care Delivery Area Redesignation for the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska

The Indian Health Service is expanding the care area for the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska. This means more Tribal members in new counties can now get special health services paid for by the government. The change includes parts of Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska and helps more people get the care they need without extra costs.