PASSED: Cortez Masto Bill to Extend Reporting Deadline for Emergency Tribal Health Care

Las Vegas, Nev. - The Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) to extend the reporting deadline for Indian Health Service (IHS) patients who seek emergency care outside of IHS facilities. The IHS Emergency Claims Parity Act now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

"During a medical emergency, the last thing a patient should have to worry about is submitting burdensome paperwork to the government," said Senator Cortez Masto. "Our bill gives patients the time to focus on rest and recovery while still getting they health care coverage they are eligible for. I thank my Senate colleagues for passing this measure and will continue working to get this bill passed into law."

Currently, in emergency cases, IHS beneficiaries must notify IHS' Purchased and Referred Care office within 72 hours of receiving care from a non-IHS facility. Tribal patients determined to be elderly or disabled are given 30 days to notify the IHS of emergency medical care received from non-IHS medical providers or at non-IHS medical facilities.

The IHS Emergency Claims Parity Act would increase the window for timely consideration of emergency care payments to 15 days for all IHS beneficiaries. This extension excludes reporting requirements for patients considered to be elderly or disabled, which would remain at 30 days.

Senator Cortez Masto is a fierce advocate for Nevada's Tribal communities. She is leading three bipartisan bills to address the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). In addition to fighting to improve public safety in Indian Country, Cortez Masto has pushed to better health care, maintain voting rights, and deliver tax parity for Tribes.

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