Mission
The Indian Health Service (IHS) is responsible for providing health services to more than 2.8 million American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) across a network of over 600 federal and tribal health facilities and 41 Urban Indian Organizations across 37 states. The IHS' services deliver on the Federal government’s treaty responsibilities to provide health care to AI/ANs, as recognized by the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing commitment to advance the interests, self-determination, and well-being of Tribal Nations.
Designated Services
Designated Services
Accessing Purchased/Referred Care
The Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) program is health care purchased by the Indian Health Service or a tribal health program for eligible American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) from a public or private medical provider or hospital to supplement and complement other health care resources within the Indian health system. The Federal PRC program is not an Entitlement or an Insurance program, but rather is administered at the local level using appropriated funds and federal regulations to govern the PRC program. Because IHS appropriations do not fully fund the health care needs, the PRC program must rely on specific regulations relating to eligibility, notification, residency, and a medical priority rating system to administer the program. These requirements may result in patients experiencing challenges navigating the program. The IHS will focus on service assessments, collecting customer feedback, and making measured improvements to improve the patient experience.