Access to Health Care

Equity for Tribal Elders: A Primer on Issues Impacting American Indian and Alaska Native Older Adults 

IHS - find a provider and Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan's website has a wealth of information.

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Medicaid- Medicaid is health insurance for people with low income. For information on picking a Medicaid plan, MDHHS has a helpful video. For more information on eligibility and applying visit Michigan Legal Help's Medicaid page. 

Medicare- Medicare is health insurance for people over 65 and for some people with disabilities.  For information on picking a Medicare plan, MDHHS has a helpful video. For more information on eligibility and applying visit Michigan Legal Help's Medicare page. 

Medical debt- Debt.org has a great article with steps to take if you have medical debt. USA.gov also has information on getting help with bills, including medical debt. 

Worker's Comp- If you become injured or ill from the work you do, you may be eligible for Worker's Compensation Benefits under Michigan law (adopted by a number of Tribes in Michigan). For more information on eligibility and applying visit Michigan Legal Help's Worker's Comp page.

Healthcare advance directive- In an advance directive you lay out what type of health care choices you would like made. For additional information, please see MILS' page on Estate Planning

Healthcare Power of Attorney- A Power of Attorney for Healthcare, sometimes called a Medical Durable Power of Attorney or a Patient Advocate Designation, gives someone else the authority to make health care decisions for you if you are incapacitated. For additional information, please see MILS' page on Estate Planning

Contact MILS

For assistance with health care under contract health or at a tribal/IHS facility, please contact MILS at 231-947-0122

Other Sources of Help

MDHHS has information on the following health care programs:

The Bridges Eligibility Manual and Bridges Administrative Manual provide detailed information about each program.