Newsroom
2012 Elder Health Fund
Dear Elders,
The Elder Service Division and the Board of Directors have been working together to amend the Elder Health Care Fund. The changes we made will allow the Elder Health Care Fund to support the increased number of Tribal elders.
Effective January 1, 2012 the Tribe will be serving the neediest of needy, which will include Tribal elders who have an income that falls within 130% of the Federal Poverty Registry. In order to qualify for assistance from the Elder Health Care Fund, you must follow the steps outlined below.
* Elders who reside within the 7 county service area are responsible for contacting the Elder Service Division to complete an application for assistance. Your application must be completely filled out in order to determine your eligibility or the amount you will be responsible for covering. This includes dental, optical and lifeline services. Please keep in mind that optical and dental services covered under the Elder Health Care Fund must be received at a Sault Tribe Health Facility. Lifeline and Durable Medical Equipment must have prior authorization.
* Elders who reside within the 7 county service area who request assistance for Durable Medical Equipment must contact Contract Health Services (CHS) directly. A Contract Health application must be completed, prior to receiving medical equipment, to determine eligibility. Contract Health is not a reimbursable program; prior authorization from Contract Health is required. Elders will not be responsible for paying for services. Elder may contact Contract Health Services at 1-800-922-0582 or 906-632-5220. The Elder Service Division will no longer be covering expenses accumulated for Durable Medical Equipment.
* Elders who reside outside of the 7 county service area area responsible for contacting the Elder Service Division to complete an application for assistance. Your application must be completely filled out in order to determine your eligibility or the amount you will be responsible for covering. This includes dental, optical and lifeline services. Please keep in mind that optical and dental services covered under the Elder Health Care Fund must be received at a Sault Tribe Health Facility. Lifeline and Durable Medical Equipment must have prior authorization.
Elder Health Fund Reimbursement Policy
Under the new policy
"over-the-counter" Medications will not covered.
Allowable over-the-counter receipts for 2011 must be submitted to the Elder Service office at 2076 Shunk Road, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 30,2011 in order to be processed. Receipts received after December 30.2011 will not be reimbursed.
The Board and I woudl like you to know that the funds normally used to reimburse over-the-counter items will now be used to assist more elders with eye glasses and dental services. We would also like for you to know that we understand that these changes are difficult; however, in order for the program to accommodate the most Tribal elders we had to look for savings.
If you have any question regarding the new process or services that will be provided, please do not hesitate to contact the Elder Service Division at 906-635-4971 o 1-888-711-7356.
We thank you for your understanding, and look forward to serving more Tribal elders in the new year!
Sheryl Hammock, Elder Service Division Director