Congressman Mike Kennedy, M.D. (UT-03) announced on May 7 the introduction of H.R. 8658, the Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act, which aims to give American Indian and Alaska Native patients more time to handle paperwork after a medical emergency.
The bill proposes extending the Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) notification deadline from 72 hours to 15 days. Supporters say this change would help prevent patients from receiving unexpected bills simply because they were focused on their health during an emergency.
“When a family is dealing with a medical emergency, the last thing they should worry about is paperwork,” said Congressman Mike Kennedy. “As a physician, I’ve seen how chaotic those first hours and days can be. This bill gives American Indian and Alaska Native patients the time they need to focus on the emergency, not red tape, and protects them from medical bills they should never receive in the first place.”
The legislation maintains the existing 30-day notification window for elderly or disabled patients while extending it for others who receive care outside of Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities. The IHS provides healthcare for American Indians and Alaska Natives but requires timely notification when outside care is needed so that costs can be covered through its PRC program.
Currently, if PRC officials are not notified within 72 hours after treatment begins at non-IHS facilities, payment may be denied and patients could face out-of-pocket expenses for care that otherwise would have been covered.
Kennedy said that by giving families more time after emergencies before having to complete administrative requirements, his bill seeks to reduce unnecessary financial stress during already difficult times.