Spotlight: IHS significantly increases third-party collections

Enrollment in health coverage matters, especially for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. Thanks to concerted efforts to enroll more AI/AN patients in health coverage, third-party collections at federally operated Indian Health Service (IHS) hospitals and health centers saw a 51% increase during fiscal years 2013–2018, ultimately topping $1 billion. According to a recently released U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, (PDF, 2.6 MB, 37 pp) Medicaid collections accounted for approximately two-thirds of the increase in third-party collections. Collections from Medicare, private insurance, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs comprised the rest. Third-party collections enable IHS to fund payroll and maintain its aging infrastructure. IHS also uses third-party collections to provide patients with more timely access to care by adding providers, broadening the range of health services provided, and expanding or renovating space as needed.

"Outreach and education efforts about the importance of health insurance coverage may have helped to increase enrollment." – U.S. GAO Report to Congressional Requesters

IHS officials used various strategies to boost health coverage enrollment rates. Those strategies included public service announcements, newspaper ads, and promotion of insurance during community events. Many federally operated IHS health facilities also increased the number of onsite patient benefits coordinators who screened patients for health coverage and helped uninsured patients enroll. And officials from most IHS area offices reported collaborating with tribes on outreach and education efforts.