S. 1055 · Passed Senate · Native Americans

Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act

Sponsor: Mike Rounds (R-SD)

What it does

• Extend notification deadline for emergency medical care received outside IHS from 72 hours to 15 days, except for elderly or disabled patients who retain a 30-day requirement.
• Allow patients, authorized individuals, or medical providers to notify the Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) program of emergency care within the extended 15-day window.
• Maintain IHS's direct provision of medical and dental services to American Indian and Alaska Native patients while expanding flexibility for out-of-network emergency authorization.

Official summary

Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act This bill extends from 72 hours to 15 days the time period to notify the Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) program of emergency medical care received from a non-Indian Health Service (IHS) medical provider or at a non-IHS medical facility. This bill does not apply to individuals who are elderly or disabled, who continue to have a 30-day notification requirement for emergency services. The IHS provides medical and dental services directly to American Indian and Alaska Native patients whenever possible. The PRC program pays for medical or dental care that is provided away from an IHS or tribal health care facility. The PRC program must be notified of requests for authorization of payment for health care services from a non-IHS provider. Currently in emergency cases, the patient, an individual on behalf of the patient, or the medical care provider must, within 72 hours after the beginning of treatment for the condition or after admission to a health care facility, notify a PRC authorizing official of the need for the emergency medical care. This bill instead allows the patient, other individual, or provider to notify PRC within 15 days…

Latest action

Oct 5, 2026: Held at the desk.

Committee: Senate Indian Affairs