Program

• Contract Health is a payer of last resort of medical expenses for American Indian/Alaska Native patients requiring referred service to a provider outside of Benewah Medical Center
• We assist patients with the application process for other Federal and State assistance programs

Services

• Establish eligibility for Contract Health Service
• Process patient referrals from Benewah Medical Center Primary Care providers to Specialists in North Idaho and Spokane
• Require patients to apply for alternate resources they may be eligible for such as, Medicaid, Social Security Disability, and private insurances
• Provide payment for approved medical services
• Ensure appropriate use of Emergency Rooms by medical review

Interesting Facts

• Indian Health Service guidelines must be followed to pay for medical expenses
• There are 1,500 Contract Health eligible patients
• CHS processes 300 referrals per month for Medical, Dental, and Substance Abuse services
• In 2007, CHS processed almost 3,000 purchase orders

Staff

The Contract Health Department is committed to advocate for Native patients to access medical care and maximize the budget provided for those services.