Tribal Nation Health
The New York State Department of Health is committed to protect and promote the health and well-being for all, including the Indigenous people (Native Americans) of New York State recognized Tribal Nations.
New York State law requires that the State government address the health needs of sovereign Tribal Nation members. The New York State Department of Health does this by way of the New York State American Indian Health Program.
New York State American Indian Health Program
The New York State American Indian Health Program helps Tribal Nation members access medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, and related health services.
Tribal Nations are sovereign governments with their own lands called reservations or territories. Health care for Nation members is provided both on-territory — directly through clinics located on Nation lands — and off-territory at contracted facilities, clinics, and doctor's offices outside reservation boundaries. The New York State American Indian Health Program works directly with the Tribal Nation's clinic on-territory as well as with the Tribal Nation's contracted hospital system(s) and/or health care provider(s). The New York State Department of Health is dedicated to support access to health care that reflects community needs and respects Tribal Nation sovereignty.
How does the New York State American Indian Health Program address health needs?
The New York State American Indian Health Program funds the provision of primary and preventive medical care, dental care, behavioral health services, chronic disease prevention and management, health education and outreach, coordination of referrals, and assistance with accessing state health coverage options.
There are several ways that the New York State American Indian Health Program delivers health care. The New York State Department of Health:
- Has contracts in place with hospitals and/or health care providers to operate on-territory clinics for Tribal Nations (for example, a clinician working for a hospital system would see Nation patients at the on-territory Nation clinic);
- Has contracts in place with Tribal Nations directly to support on-territory clinic services (for example, the Nation will directly employ a clinician to see Nation patients at the on-territory Nation clinic);
- Processes claims and issues payments for outpatient health services that Nation members receive off-territory, including certain specialty care, diagnostics, and other health services not available at the on-territory Nation clinic, and;
- Has established contractors in place that are responsible for providing pharmacy and vision care to Nation members.
- Pharmacy services are provided through Prime Therapeutics.
- Vision services are provided through Versant Health.
Which Tribal Nations are served by the New York State American Indian Health Program?
The New York State American Indian Health Program helps Indigenous people of the following nine state recognized Tribal Nations (in alphabetical order):
- Cayuga Nation
- Oneida Indian Nation
- Onondaga Nation
- Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe
- Seneca Nation
- Shinnecock Indian Nation
- Tonawanda Seneca Nation
- Tuscarora Nation
- Unkechaug Indian Nation (Poospatuck)
Contact
The Office of the Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Health Equity and Human Rights is willing to help answer any questions you may have regarding Tribal Nation health and consultation.
For general questions about the New York State American Indian Health Program, please email AIHP.program@health.ny.gov.
For questions about the New York State American Indian Health Program medical claims processing (non-Medicaid), please contact the American Indian Health Program Medical Claims Processing Unit by emailing UCP.AIHP@health.ny.gov or (518) 459-1641 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, Eastern Standard Time).
