NEW CONTACT INFORMATION:

P.O. Box 919 Anacortes, WA 98221

Phone: (360) 899-5454

Fax: (360) 588-9537

Toll Free:  (877) 470-8737

HOURS:  8:00am to 6:00pm

Contract Health Services (CHS)

Enrolled members of the Samish Indian Nation whose permanent residence is within a ten county region (Whatcom, Skagit, Kitsap, Snohomish, King, Island, San Juan, Pierce, Jefferson and Clallam) are eligible for Contract Health Services. In order to access this assistance, clients must register with the CHS office, and abide by the Samish CHS program guidelines. In general, CHS may pay for physician and other health professional services, dental services, prescriptions, vision care, physical therapy, hearing aids and mental health services.

Increased Benefits for Contract Health Clients for Year 2009

Drug /alcohol treatment and other medical benefits are unchanged. Please call with any questions.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Samish Council has approved the following increased benefits for CHS  eligible clients:.

Vision Services

$ 350 per person per calendar year. For patients with diabetes, additional eye care services are available, as required. 

Physical Therapy

24 visits per calendar year

Hearing Aids

$ 6000 lifetime benefit

Dental Care

$ 1000 per calendar year if you use your own dentist                                                                

$ 1500 per calendar year if referred by tribal dental clinic

Mental Health

24 non-physician visits per calendar year

Skagit County resident Samish members are required to contact the Samish Wellness Mental  Health Program prior to receiving any new mental health services from any agency or providers. Please call extension 127 or 128 for approval of mental health services .

Benefit levels are reviewed and evaluated regularly, and may be enhanced or reduced in response to budgetary constraints. Please call Contract Health Services for specifics 800-365-9062 ext 125 or 126.

CHS guidelines in general are:

• Patients must use all other resources to pay for care before using CHS (such as Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance) because CHS is a ‘payer of last resort’. CHS can cover co-payments and deductible amounts when pre-authorized as outlined below.

• There are pre-appointment and emergency notification requirements. Call in advance for any appointment and call within 72 hours of any emergency visits. The medical need must be within the Indian Health Service medical priorities, and the Samish Health Program limitations.

• In order to access government pricing for ongoing, long term medications, refills must be ordered through Bellegrove Pharmacy at 1-800-446-2123 or online at www.bgrx.com

• Short term retail meds may require your outlay of funds. Reimbursement forms may be obtained here. Here we need to insert the form link

For questions about the CHS eligibility, pre-authorizations, program limitations, or general health coverage issues, please call Joanne or Erin at (877-470-8737

Direct Care Services

For those members who live outside of the ten county service delivery area, the hospitals and clinics of the Indian Health Services are available for services, often at no cost to you. However, the Indian Health Service facilities cannot always provide a full range of health care services. A referral by an Indian Health facility to a non-Indian Health facility does not constitute a commitment by the IHS or any tribal program to pay for any services. Click here for more information about locating an Indian Health Service Area Office or facility near you. http://www.ihs.gov

Pharmacy Reimbursement Form

Helpful Health Information Links

PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES

Under the direction of Samish Health Director, Keith Tucker, M.D., the Samish Indian Nation Health Program offers a varied scope of services to assist with the health and wellness needs of the tribal members. Mitch Markovich, RN, is the Samish Indian Nation’s Public Health Research and Program Manager, public health nurse and Diabetic Project Coordinator. He is available to provide health care management services in support of the diverse needs of the Samish tribal members.

The following services are provided through the Samish Nation’s Public Health Nurse:

           Diabetes Program (Tribal Members in the ten county service delivery area) –

1)      A continued and focused effort to assure that the Samish Tribal members, with a diagnosis of Diabetes, receive care, treatment and disease management services according to IHS Standards of Care for Type 2 Diabetes. Examples of care include, the review of medical records and health history, self-management support, including correlated teaching, the promotion of an educational wellness curriculum and the coordination of individual aspects of care.

2)      The consistent management of nutritional programs, which include monthly food gift cards that assist with the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables and support with individual nutritional needs by providing information and educational materials.

3)      Assistance with physical activity goals and a wide range of correlated education.    

4)       Assistance with reimbursement for medical supplies.

5)      Sponsorship of patients and their families to attend diabetes health conferences and workshops.

6)      Invitations to attend interactive cultural Health and Wellness Fairs.

7)       Support of and contributions made towards the publication of the Samish Nation Calendar and the distribution of healthy lifestyle information for all tribal members.

8)      Continuously working toward increasing our tribal member’s awareness that implementing healthy behavior and lifestyle changes now will prevent or delay the risk of contracting  type 2 diabetes.

Chronic and Preventative Disease Programs

In addition to Public Health’s major role in the care, treatment and prevention of diabetes, Samish Public Health is committed to focusing its efforts on examining the risk factors and underlying causes of chronic illness, encouraging high quality chronic illness care and improving health in our communities.  Chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, disabling arthritis and various cancers – to name just a few - are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among the Native American Population. We are available to provide self-management support with resources and education to assist patients with chronic diseases to become more active in managing their health condition.  When informed patients are encouraged to play an active role in their care and health care providers are given support, time, resources and expertise, the interactions between patient and providers are likely to be much more productive.

Samish Public Health also provides services for the Samish Head Start Program. 

We continually strive to improve and sustain healthy lifestyles for our tribal populace following the Indian Health Services standards of care.  To assist us in meeting the needs of our native population, we encourage you to contact your Samish Health Director or Public Health Nurse with your thoughts, ideas and opinions.  We value your input and insights.