Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2025
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
The Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2025 aims to improve how the Indian Health Service (IHS) handles healthcare services provided to Native Americans and Alaska Natives when those services aren't available within the IHS system. Specifically, it requires the IHS to reimburse patients for out-of-pocket costs for ‘purchased/referred care’ services within 30 days of submitting required documentation. The bill also updates relevant policies and documents to use the term ‘purchased/referred care’ consistently, replacing references to ‘contract health services.’
Key provisions
- Requires the IHS to reimburse patients for out-of-pocket costs for authorized ‘purchased/referred care’ services within 30 days.
- Establishes procedures for reimbursement, allowing patients to submit documentation electronically or in person.
- Updates the Indian Health Manual, contracts, and other administrative documents to use ‘purchased/referred care’ terminology.
- Replaces ‘contract health service’ with ‘purchased/referred care’ throughout the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.
- Defines ‘purchased/referred care’ as health services provided by external providers when IHS services aren't available.
- Requires the Secretary to notify providers and patients about the reimbursement policy.
- Allows tribes to opt-out of reimbursement requirements if they have existing agreements.
- Directs the Secretary to revise relevant materials to reflect the new terminology.
Who is affected
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