A:  If you are an enrolled tribal member of a federally recognized tribe, you do NOT have to sign up for health insurance and are exempt from the fee or “individual shared responsibility payment”. 

A:  You have two options:

1. You can claim these exemptions when you fill out your 2016 federal tax return, which is due in April 2017
2. You can apply for the exemptions in the Health Insurance Marketplace

Note:  You must create an account with the HealthplanFinder to access the Exemption Application.

A: You may be eligible for a no-deductible, no-copay insurance plan if your income meets the income guidelines.

You can enroll in Marketplace health insurance any month, not just during the yearly open enrollment period.

You have special cost and eligibility rules for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) that make it easier to qualify for these programs. 

A:  Also known as an Advanced Premium Tax Credit, this tax credit can be used to lower the health insurance premium costs of Washington Healthplanfinder Qualified Health Plans. If you are eligible, this tax credit provides you the option to either reduce the amount of your monthly health insurance

premium; or have a lump sum deduction when you file your annual income tax return.

 Your Health Insurance Premium Tax Credit is dependent on your household modified adjusted gross income. The household income and tax filing information you provide in your Healthplanfinder application will determine how much tax credit you are eligible for. Any income changes should be reported to Washington Healthplanfinder in order to make a re^-determination of your eligibility. 

A: Purchased and Referred Care receive their funds from Indian Health Services, which has been underfunded for years. Many tribes run out of PRC funds before the year is over, leaving Tribal Members without coverage. Those members are either forced to go into debt by paying for their own medical needs, or they forgo the needed medical service; often worsening their condition by not receiving treatment. Although The Samish Indian Nation has not run out of funds in the middle of the year, the amount of these funds each year is never a guarantee. By taking advantage of free or greatly discounted medical insurance through the Affordable Care Act, you can ensure that you always have coverage. Additionally, by accessing free or discounted insurance, you are doing your part in conserving PRC funds, so that those funds can last longer for all tribal members. PRC will continue to pay your co-payments and fees that your insurance doesn’t cover. Essentially, PRC would become supplemental to your health insurance plan. Both you and the tribe benefit from enrolling in a health insurance plan. Check out your options, no matter what state you reside in at: https://www.healthcare.gov/