About Basic Health
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About Basic Health | Contract Health Services
About Basic Health
Basic Health is a program offered by the State of Washington through the Washington State’s Health Care Authority. The goal is to offer comprehensive health care coverage at a low cost in the State. Basic Health is available to all Washington State residents who are not eligible for Medicare or covered by other private health insurance. The State Legislature provides funding and guidance to the Health Care Authority for Basic Health. The Health Care Authority then contracts with private insurance companies and HMOs to provide Basic Health in specific areas throughout the State. Each of these insurance companies and HMOs then contract with local health care providers who provide health care benefits covered by Basic Health.
How does Basic Health Work for the Tribe?
The way Basic Health works for the Tribe is that the Tribe has contracted with the Health Care Authority to have a sponsor group for tribal members who have no health coverage. This way the Tribe pays for your coverage through monthly premiums and co-payments and also helps you to access care through your Basic Health coverage. The amount the Tribe pays on your behalf depends on your age, family size, income and the health plan you choose.
How does Basic Health Benefit the Tribe?
Health coverage can be very expensive. That’s why the Tribe has chosen to sponsor tribal members who have no health coverage on Basic Health. Basic Health offers reduced premiums to more than 125,000 people across Washington State, and the Tribe pays only a portion of the monthly premium, with the rest paid by the State. Families with the lowest incomes pay only a $17 per adult per month and children are free. The monthly premium the Tribe pays on your behalf to Basic Health is based on your family’s size, ages of family members and income. Adding or removing family members, or reporting a change in income may change these premiums, so please make sure to notify Contract Health Services (CHS) of any of these changes. You can reach Kerstin at 297-9601 or Sherry at 297-9602. Please remember that all Basic Health members are required to report any income change that causes them to end up with a different monthly premium. Basic Health will charge the Tribe back premiums, if it turns out members are at a lower monthly premium than what they should be. If you are not sure what your coverage is or what income you show on file with the Contract Health Services office please call either Kerstin at 297-9601 or Sherry at 297-9602.
What Health Benefits are Offered by Basic Health?
Basic Health is a great program for the Tribe to access affordable health insurance for tribal members with no health coverage. The health benefits include doctor visits, hospital care, prescription drugs, men’s and women’s physical exams, limited mental health and chemical dependency treatment. There are no deductibles; no claim forms and the co-payments are only $15 for a doctor’s office visit. Additional benefits, such as dental and vision services are available to children enrolled in Basic Health Plus, a program coordinated with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).
How do I sign up for Basic Health?
With everyone’s help and willingness to sign up for health coverage the Tribe has been able to not only maintain good access to health care for its members, but has in fact expanded and added additional services. Don’t miss out on your chance to have access to great health coverage through Basic Health. Call Kerstin, 297-9601 or Sherry, 297-9602 to find out if you are eligible for Basic Health today.