Medicaid and CHIP are available to qualifying federally recognized American Indians and Alaska Natives.
If you’re eligible for services from the Indian Health Service (also known as an Indian hospital or Public Health Service (PHS)), tribal health programs (also known as tribal 638 programs or tribal health clinics), or urban Indian programs (known as I/T/Us), including Contract Health Services:
- You don’t have to pay any out-of-pocket costs for Medicaid or CHIP coverage and healthcare services.
- Certain Indian resources and payments aren’t counted for Medicaid and CHIP eligibility, making it easier for some people to qualify.
You can continue to get services through an I/T/U even if the I/T/U is not a provider in your program’s managed care network.
American Indians and Alaska Natives can apply for coverage through Pennie or the Department of Human Services. Those who are interested in applying for Medicaid (Medical Assistance or MA) but are not sure if they qualify can go to www.COMPASS.state.pa.us and complete a quick screening by clicking on the link, “DO I QUALIFY” on the COMPASS home page. The COMPASS screening will tell individuals which program they may qualify for based on their responses to the screening questions. If an individual is screened as potentially eligible for health care insurance coverage through Pennie and not Medicaid, they will be directed to apply directly through the www.pennie.com link on the screening results page.