Frequently Asked Questions: American Indian / Alaska Native

American Indians and Alaska Natives who qualify for or get services from an Indian Health Service, or tribal or urban Indian health programs, including Contract Health Services, are exempt from Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) co-payments and enrollment fees. Also, certain Indian resources, payments and income are not counted when figuring out if you qualify for Health First Colorado or CHP+. American Indians and Alaska Natives can continue to get services through an Indian Health Service, or tribal or urban Indian health programs even if the Indian Health Service, or tribal or urban Indian health programs is not a provider is not in the Health First Colorado or CHP+ provider network.

No, members of federally recognized tribes, other American Indians and Alaska Natives, and other people (like the spouse or child of an eligible Indian) who are eligible for or get services through an Indian Health Service, or tribal or urban Indian health programs will be exempt from the shared responsibility payment. So, you do not have to apply for health insurance, but you must apply for this exemption.

To get an exemption, members of federally recognized tribes may apply through the Connect for Health Colorado Marketplace or provide the appropriate information when they file their federal income tax return. American Indians and Alaska Natives who aren’t members of federally recognized tribes, but qualify for or get services from an Indian Health Service, or tribal or urban Indian health programs, must apply through the Marketplace and will need to verify their American Indian and Alaska Native status or qualify for services through an Indian Health Service, or tribal or urban Indian health programs.

The Connect for Health Colorado Marketplace will benefit American Indians and Alaska Natives by providing opportunities for enrolling in affordable health coverage. You might qualify to enroll in a private health plan in the new Connect for Health Colorado Marketplace. Or, you might qualify for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). There is one application to find out if you qualify for a Marketplace health plan, Health First Colorado, or CHP+.

If you have health insurance through your employer or have health care through a government sponsored program such as Medicare, Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), Veterans Affairs or TRICARE, there is nothing you need to do—you are covered. If you have Health First Colorado or CHP+, you do not have to pay co-payments or enrollment fees.

The Affordable Care Act does not change whether you qualify to get health care through the Indian Health Service, or tribal or urban Indian health programs. American Indians and Alaska Natives who enroll in a Connect for Health Colorado Marketplace health plan, Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), can continue to receive services from their Indian Health Service, or tribal or urban Indian health programs the same way they do now. But by enrolling in a Marketplace health plan, Health First Colorado, or CHP+, American Indians and Alaska Natives can benefit by having greater access to services that may not be provided by their local Indian Health Service, or tribal or urban Indian health programs, and the tribal communities benefit through increased resources to their Indian Health Service, or tribal or urban Indian health programs.

An exemption from the shared responsibility payment won’t prevent American Indians and Alaska Natives from enrolling in a Connect for Health Colorado Marketplace health plan, Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) and they might qualify for certain protections under Health First Colorado or CHP+, or might qualify for tax credits and cost-sharing reductions. In addition to financial documents, you might need your tribal documents to qualify for some of these special protections.

While American Indians and Alaska Natives are NOT exempt from paying premiums, they may be able to get lower costs on monthly premiums through a new tax credit that is paid to insurance plans each month to reduce an individual’s premium. Eligibility for the tax credit depends on income, family size, and access to other coverage. Members of federally recognized tribes can use tax credits to pay for premiums for certain plans and still receive cost-sharing reductions as well. The type of cost-sharing reduction depends on income and whether an individual is enrolled in a zero cost-sharing plan or limited cost-sharing plan.