Purchased/Referred Care

IF YOU ARE A REGISTERED NATIVE AMERICAN THEN YOU ARE QUALIFIED TO RECEIVE FREE MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE AT NORTHERN VALLEY INDIAN HEALTH

The free care that is received inside one of our clinics is called “Direct Care.” When you need specialty care that we do not offer at any of our clinics, you may be eligible for the coverage of certain care outside of our clinic. This covered care received outside of our clinics is called Purchased/Referred Care.

> SEE PURCHASED/REFERRED PATIENT GUIDE

What are Priority Levels of Care?

Indian Health Services has determined certain priority levels of care. Medical services under Priority Level 1 include emergent or acutely urgent care services such as a visit to the emergency room for a stroke or heart attack. Priority Level 2 services include preventive care services aimed at the prevention of disease or disability such as immunizations and cancer screenings. Priority Level 3 services include the treatment of prevalent illnesses or conditions that have a significant impact on morbidity and mortality such as cardiology or pulmonary services. Priority Level 4 services include services that are not essential or are considered elective procedures such as skilled nursing facility care, or restorative plastic surgery. Priority Level 5 services are always excluded. They are considered experimental or purely cosmetic in nature such as suction assisted lipectomy or electrolysis. Covered priority levels of care depend on NVIH funding availability and may change throughout the year.

Examples of Priority Level 1 Care

Priority 1 Level Care that might be covered under the NVIH PRC program include but are not limited to:

Emergency room care for emergent or urgent medical conditions, surgical conditions, or acute trauma.
Emergency inpatient care for emergent or urgent medical conditions, surgical conditions, or acute injury.
Acute and chronic renal replacement therapy.
Emergency psychiatric care involving suicidal persons or those who are a serious threat to themselves or others.
Services and procedures necessary for the evaluation of potentially life threatening illness or conditions.
Obstetrical deliveries and acute perinatal care.
Neonatal care