Native Americans and Alaska Natives are found to persistently face disparities in varied social-economic spaces and the same holds true for health insurance coverage. The problems identified include inability to get the best health care, high uninsured rates, poor status of health, and more. According to research, several factors have been identified as barriers during the enrollment of Medicare and other health care programs for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Ways through which Native Americans and Alaska Natives can avail healthcare
There are numerous opportunities that have been formulated to increase the healthcare benefits for Native Americans and Alaska Natives, thereby reducing the level of disparity they face. The government has a unique responsibility toward granting special provisions with different organizations playing vital roles. The population of Native Americans and Alaska Natives can avail healthcare through the following:

Indian Health Service – The Indian Health Service (IHS) is a pivotal organization that is responsible for providing healthcare benefits to Native American and Alaska Natives. It aims to raise the levels of healthcare status among the population to the highest standards. The IHS provides several heath functions apart from medical care. A huge population of Native Americans and Alaska Natives avail of quality healthcare through health stations, clinics, and hospitals that have been allotted by the IHS. However, due to a limit in funding, there may be hindrance in the scope they can provide. Thus, the healthcare services provided by IHS can vary across different locations.

Healthcare Insurance Marketplace – A huge part of the communities is found to be uninsured and thus, the Health Insurance Marketplace provides opportunities for health insurance or coverage. Buying an insurance plan through Healthcare Insurance Marketplace does not lower the prices of the premiums. However, one benefits through the income-based tax credits which can lower the monthly or annual premium. For people who have an income that ranges between 100% and 300% of the Federal poverty line, a special benefit exempts from paying cost such as deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. Moreover, Native Americans and Alaska Natives can enroll for insurance through Marketplace Health insurance during any time of the year and also change the types of place every once in a month.

Native Americans and Alaska Natives do not have to pay a fee that other people do when they do not have a health insurance. The Tribal health coverage can be easily claimed for exemption from fee payment. This exemption must be claimed during the time of filing the returns for federal income tax.

Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) – If one qualifies for Medicaid, they are entitled to coverage in the residential state and are exempted from paying premiums and out-of-the-pocket cost. Certain types of properties are not counted as resourced when determining the eligibility for Native American and Alaska Natives. Also, Native Americans and Alaska Natives can easily qualify for CHIP with special cost and eligibility rules.

Medicare for Native Americans and Alaska Natives
Administered by the U.S federal government, Medicare is a health insurance program that provides health care security to certain sections of the society regardless of a medical history and income. The insurance plays a pivotal role in providing social security to older citizen and other people who suffer from permanent disabilities. Medicare can be availed by people who are 65 and older, younger people with disabilities and certain health conditions such as end-stage renal disease. Most people including Native Americans and Alaska natives are liable to receive benefits of Medicare if they have contributed towards the payroll tax for 10 or more years.

Typically, one automatically gets registered with Medicare. However, some people may have to register. Native Americans and Alaska Natives can contact the Indian Health Service, Urban health, or Indian health provider. These organizations can help in applying for Medicare. Contrary to popular belief, one can still use the Indian Health Provider and other programs while availing of the Medicare program advantages.

Medicare also enables Native Americans and Alaska Natives to avail of the Extra Help program. If one is eligible, there are other resources apart from the usual that are excluded for this population. Certain income or resources like distributions received by a Village Corporation, land held in trust by the US among several other exclusions.