99-27417. Currently Effective Indian Health Service Eligibility Regulations  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 208 (Thursday, October 28, 1999)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 58318-58322]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-27417]
    
    
    
    [[Page 58317]]
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    Part VIII
    
    
    
    
    
    Department of Health and Human Services
    
    
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    42 CFR Parts 36 and 36a
    
    
    
    Currently Effective Indian Health Service Eligibility Regulations; Rule
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 208 / Thursday, October 28, 1999 / 
    Rules and Regulations
    
    [[Page 58318]]
    
    
    
    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
    
    42 CFR Parts 36 and 36a
    
    RIN 0917-AAO3
    
    
    Currently Effective Indian Health Service Eligibility Regulations
    
    AGENCY: Indian Health Service, HHS.
    
    ACTION: Republication of currently effective Indian Health Service 
    eligibility regulations.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: The HHS is publishing in the Federal Register, final 
    regulations governing eligibility for services from the Indian Health 
    Service. The eligibility regulations currently codified at 42 CFR part 
    36 are under a congressional moratorium. Republishing the regulations 
    that are currently in effect while the codified regulations are under 
    moratorium is being done for the convenience of the public and in 
    conformance with the requirement of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 
    U.S.C. 552(a)(1), that the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) must 
    contain currently effective regulations.
    
    DATES: Effective October 28, 1999.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Leslie M. Morris, Director, Division of Regulatory and Legal Affairs, 
    Suite 450, 12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, Maryland 20852, 
    telephone: (301) 443-1116. (This is not a toll-free number.)
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 16, 1987, HHS published new 
    final regulations governing eligibility for IHS services at 52 FR 
    35044. These regulations were to supplant eligibility for IHS services 
    at 52 FR 35044. These regulations were to supplant eligibility 
    regulations effective prior to that date but were never implemented.
        In the Fiscal Year 1988 Appropriations Act, Section 315, Public Law 
    100-202, Congress delayed implementation of the new regulations for one 
    year and has imposed a moratorium on the use of appropriated funds for 
    implementation of the new regulations in subsequent fiscal years. In 
    Section 719(a) of the Indian Health Care Amendments of 1988, Public Law 
    100-713, Congress directed the IHS ``* * * during the period of this 
    moratorium * * * to provide services pursuant to the criteria for 
    eligibility for such services that were in effect on September 15, 
    1987.''
        In Section 719(b), Congress also directed the IHS to conduct a 
    study to determine, among other things, the financial impact of the 
    rules published September 16, 1987. The study has been completed 
    (Impact of the Final Rule ``Health Care Services of the Indian Health 
    Service'' 42 CFR Part 36--Final Report, contract No. 282-910065) and 
    sent to the tribes for comment, but it has not yet been submitted to 
    Congress. The IHS has not submitted a budget request reflecting 
    increased costs associated with the new regulations as directed by the 
    various appropriations acts.
        The regulations in effect on September 15, 1987, which Congress has 
    made applicable during the moratorium, were last published in the CFR 
    in 1986. The new regulations have been published in each edition of the 
    CFR after 1986 but have not been implemented. This has caused 
    considerable confusion because a reader of the current CFR would assume 
    that the eligibility regulations published therein are currently 
    applicable, which is not the case.
        Because the moratorium continues in effect, for the convenience of 
    the public, the HHS is republishing the eligibility regulations in 
    effect on September 1, 1987, so these regulations may appear in the CFR 
    printed in regular type, followed by the suspended regulations in small 
    type.
        The suspended regulations are redesignated as part 36a for clarity 
    of citation purposes because two distinct regulations cannot use the 
    same regulation number.
        The following eligibility rules that were in effect on September 1, 
    1987, along with 42 CFR subpart G, 36.61, payor of last resort, 
    (published February 9, 1990, at 55 FR 4609) are currently in effect for 
    the IHS. Subpart G has replaced Secs. 36.21(a) and 36.23(f) of the 
    rules in effect on September 15, 1987.
    
    List of Subjects in 42 CFR Parts 36 and 36a
    
        Alaska Natives, Contract health services, Employment, Government 
    contracts, Government procurement, Grant programs--education, Grant 
    programs--health, Grant programs--Indians, Health care, Health 
    facilities, Health service delivery areas, Indians, Penalties, 
    Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Scholarships and fellowships, 
    Student aid.
    
        Dated: September 2, 1999.
    Michael E. Lincoln,
    Acting Director, Indian Health Service.
    
        Approved: September 29, 1999.
    Donna E. Shalala,
    Secretary of Health and Human Services.
    
        For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 42 CFR chapter I is 
    amended as follows:
    
    PART 36--[REDESIGNATED AS PART 36a]
    
        1. Part 36 is redesignated as Part 36a.
        2. In newly redesignated Sec. 36a.212, paragraphs (h)(i) through 
    (h)(iv) are redesignated as paragraphs (h)(i) through (h)(4).
        3. In newly redesignated Part 36a, in the redesignated section and 
    paragraph listed in the first column below, references to the sections 
    listed in the second column are revised to read as shown in the third 
    column:
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Redesignated section              Old section reference               New section reference
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    36a.12(a)(2), (a)(3), and (b)(1).......  36.15.....................  36a.15
    36a.15(b)(1)...........................  36.(a)(1) and (3).........  36a.(a)(1) and (3)
    36a.16(a)..............................  36.12(a)..................  36a.12(a)
    36a.33(a)..............................  36.32(a)..................  36a.32(a)
    36a.33(b)..............................  36.14.....................  36a.14
    36a.34(b)..............................  36.14.....................  36a.14
    36a.42(a)..............................  36.41.....................  36a.41
    36a.43.................................  36.41.....................  36a.41
    36a.53.................................  36.51.....................  36a.51
    36a.53.................................  36.54.....................  36a.54
    36a.56.................................  36.54.....................  36a.54
    36a.106(a)(4)..........................  36.105....................  36a.105
    36a.116................................  36.114....................  36a.114
    36a.120(a).............................  section 102(g) of this      36a.102(g)
                                              subpart.
    36a.205(b)(18).........................  36.216....................  36a.216
    36a.208(b)(4)..........................  36.206....................  36a.206
    36a.212(h)(iv).........................  36.214....................  36a.214
    
    [[Page 58319]]
    
     
    36a.230(b).............................  36.208....................  36a.208
    36a.230(b).............................  36.214....................  36a.214
    36a.232................................  36.233(a).................  36a.233(a)
    36a.302(v)(4)..........................  36.350(a).................  36a.350(a)
    36a.303 (a) and (d)....................  36.302....................  36a.302
    36a.321(d).............................  36.320....................  36a.320
    36a.322(a)(2)..........................  36.332....................  36a.332
    36a.350(a) introductory text...........  36.351....................  36a.351
    36a.351(b)(5), (b)(6), (b)(7), (b)(9)..  36.350(a).................  36a.350(a)
    36a.353................................  36.350(a) (7) and (8).....  36a.350(a) (7) and (8)
    36a.371(c), (d)........................  36.370....................  36a.370
    36a.372(a)(2)..........................  36.332....................  36a.332
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        4. Redesignated part 36a is suspended indefinitely.
        5. A new part 36 is added to read as follows:
    
    PART 36--INDIAN HEALTH
    
    Subpart A--Purpose and Definitions
    
    Sec.
    36.1  Definitions.
    36.2  Purpose of the regulations.
    36.3  Administrative instructions.
    
    Subpart B--What Services Are Available and Who Is Eligible To Receive 
    Care
    
    36.11  Services available.
    36.12  Persons to whom services will be provided.
    36.13  [Reserved]
    36.14  Care and treatment of ineligible individuals.
    
    Subpart C--Contract Health Services
    
    36.21  Definitions.
    36.22  Establishment of contract health service delivery areas.
    36.23  Persons to whom contract health services will be provided.
    36.24  Authorization for contract health services.
    36.25  Reconsideration and appeals.
    
    Subpart D--[Reserved]
    
    Subpart E--Preference in Employment
    
    36.41  Definitions.
    36.42  Appointment actions.
    36.43  Application procedure for preference eligibility.
    
    Subpart F--Abortions and Related Medical Services in Indian Health 
    Service Facilities and Indian Health Service Programs
    
    36.51  Applicability.
    36.52  Definitions.
    36.53  General rule.
    36.54  Life of the mother would be endangered.
    36.55  Drugs and devices and termination of ectopic pregnancies.
    36.56  Recordkeeping requirements.
    36.57  Confidentiality.
    
    Subpart G--Residual Status
    
    36.61  Payor of last resort.
    
        Authority: 25 U.S.C. 13; sec. 3, 68 Stat. 674 (42 U.S.C., 2001, 
    2003); Sec. 1, 42 Stat. 208 (25 U.S.C. 13); 42 U.S.C. 2001, unless 
    otherwise noted.
    
    Subpart A--Purpose and Definitions
    
    
    Sec. 36.1  Definitions.
    
        When used in this part:
        Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) means the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 
    Department of the Interior.
        Indian includes Indians in the Continental United States, and 
    Indians, Aleuts and Eskimos in Alaska.
        Indian health program means the health services program for Indians 
    administered by the Indian Health Service within the Department of 
    Health and Human Services.
        Jurisdiction has the same geographical meaning as in Bureau of 
    Indian Affairs usage.
        Service means the Indian Health Service.
    
    
    Sec. 36.2  Purpose of the regulations.
    
        The regulations in this part establish general principles and 
    program requirements for carrying out the Indian health programs.
    
    
    Sec. 36.3  Administrative instructions.
    
        The service periodically issues administrative instructions to its 
    officers and employees, which are primarily found in the Indian Health 
    Service Manual and the Area Office and program office supplements. 
    These instructions are operating procedures to assist officers and 
    employees in carrying out their responsibilities, and are not 
    regulations establishing program requirements which are binding upon 
    members of the general public.
    
    Subpart B--What Services Are Available and Who Is Eligible To 
    Receive Care?
    
    
    Sec. 36.11  Services available.
    
        (a) Type of services that may be available. Services for the Indian 
    community served by the local facilities and program may include 
    hospital and medical care, dental care, public health nursing and 
    preventive care (including immunizations), and health examination of 
    special groups such as school children.
        (b) Where services are available. Available services will be 
    provided at hospitals and clinics of the Service, and at contract 
    facilities (including tribal facilities under contract with the 
    Service).
        (c) Determination of what services are available. The Service does 
    not provide the same health services in each area served. The services 
    provided to any particular Indian community will depend upon the 
    facilities and services available from sources other than the Service 
    and the financial and personnel resources made available to the 
    Service.
    
    
    Sec. 36.12  Persons to whom services will be provided.
    
        (a) In general. Services will be made available, as medically 
    indicated, to persons of Indian descent belonging to the Indian 
    community served by the local facilities and program. Services will 
    also be made available, as medically indicated, to a non-Indian woman 
    pregnant with an eligible Indian's child but only during the period of 
    her pregnancy through postpartum (generally about 6 weeks after 
    delivery). In cases where the woman is not married to the eligible 
    Indian under applicable state or tribal law, paternity must be 
    acknowledged in writing by the Indian or determined by order of a court 
    of competent jurisdiction. The Service will also provide medically 
    indicated services to non-Indian members of an eligible Indian's 
    household if the medical officer in charge determines that this is 
    necessary to control acute infectious disease or a public health 
    hazard.
        (2) Generally, an individual may be regarded as within the scope of 
    the Indian health and medical service program if he/she is regarded as 
    an Indian by the community in which he/she lives as evidenced by such 
    factors as tribal membership, enrollment, residence on tax-exempt land, 
    ownership of restricted property, active participation in tribal 
    affairs, or other relevant factors in keeping with general
    
    [[Page 58320]]
    
    Bureau of Indian Affairs practices in the jurisdiction.
        (b) Doubtful cases. (1) In case of doubt as to whether an 
    individual applying for care is within the scope of the program, the 
    medical officer in charge shall obtain from the appropriate BIA 
    officials in the jurisdiction information that is pertinent to his/her 
    determination of the individual's continuing relationship to the Indian 
    population group served by the local program.
        (2) If the applicant's condition is such that immediate care and 
    treatment are necessary, services shall be provided pending 
    identification as an Indian beneficiary.
        (c) Priorities when funds, facilities, or personnel are 
    insufficient to provide the indicated volume of services. Priorities 
    for care and treatment, as among individuals who are within the scope 
    of the program, will be determined on the basis of relative medical 
    need and access to other arrangements for obtaining the necessary care.
    
    
    Sec. 36.13  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 36.14  Care and treatment of ineligible individuals.
    
        (a) In case of an emergency, as an act of humanity, individuals not 
    eligible under Sec. 36.12 may be provided temporary care and treatment 
    in Service facilities.
        (b) Charging ineligible individuals. Where the Service Unit 
    Director determines that an ineligible individual is able to defray the 
    cost of care and treatment, the individual shall be charged at rates 
    approved by the Assistant Secretary for Health and Surgeon General 
    published in the Federal Register. Reimbursement from third-party 
    payors may be arranged by the patient or by the Service on behalf of 
    the patient.
    
    Subpart C--Contract Health Services
    
    
    Sec. 36.21  Definitions.
    
        (a) Alternate resources is defined in Sec. 36.61(c) of subpart G of 
    this part.
        (b) Appropriate ordering official means, unless otherwise specified 
    by contract with the health care facility or provider, the ordering 
    official for the contract health service delivery area in which the 
    individual requesting contract health services or on whose behalf the 
    services are requested, resides.
        (c) Area Director means the Director of an Indian Health Service 
    Area designated for purposes of administration of Indian Health Service 
    programs.
        (d) Contract health service delivery area means the geographic area 
    within which contract health services will be made available by the IHS 
    to members of an identified Indian community who reside in the area, 
    subject to the provisions of this subpart.
        (e) Contract health services means health services provided at the 
    expense of the Indian Health Service from public or private medical or 
    hospital facilities other than those of the Service.
        (f) Emergency means any medical condition for which immediate 
    medical attention is necessary to prevent the death or serious 
    impairment of the health of an individual.
        (g) Indian tribe means any Indian tribe, band, nation, group, 
    Pueblo, or community, including any Alaska Native village or Native 
    group, which is federally recognized as eligible for the special 
    programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because 
    of their status as Indians.
        (h) Program Director means the Director of an Indian Health Service 
    ``program area'' designated for the purposes of administration of 
    Indian Health Service programs.
        (i) Reservation means any federally recognized Indian tribe's 
    reservation. Pueblo, or colony, including former reservations in 
    Oklahoma, Alaska Native regions established pursuant to the Alaska 
    Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), and Indian 
    allotments.
        (j) Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services to 
    whom the authority involved has been delegated.
        (k) Service means the Indian Health Service.
        (l) Service Unit Director means the Director of an Indian Health 
    Service ``Service unit area'' designated for purposes of administration 
    of Indian Health Service programs.
    
    
    Sec. 36.22  Establishment of contract health service delivery areas.
    
        (a) In accordance with the congressional intention that funds 
    appropriated for the general support of the health program of the 
    Indian Health Service be used to provide health services for Indians 
    who live on or near Indian reservations, contract health service 
    delivery areas are established as follows:
        (1) The State of Alaska;
        (2) The State of Nevada;
        (3) the State of Oklahoma;
        (4) Chippewa, Mackinac, Luce, Alger, Schoolcraft, Delta, and 
    Marquette Counties in the State of Michigan;
        (5) Clark, Eau Claire, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon, 
    Crawford, Shawano, Marathon, Wood, Juneau, Adams, Columbia, and Sauk 
    Counties in the State of Wisconsin and Houston County in the State of 
    Minnesota;
        (6) With respect to all other reservations within the funded scope 
    of the Indian health program, the contract health services delivery 
    area shall consist of a county which includes all or part of a 
    reservation, and any county or counties which have a common boundary 
    with the reservation.
        (b) The Secretary may from time to time, redesignate areas or 
    communities within the United States as appropriate for inclusion or 
    exclusion from a contract health service delivery area after 
    consultation with the tribal governing body or bodies on those 
    reservations included within the contract health service delivery area. 
    The Secretary will take the following criteria into consideration:
        (1) The number of Indians residing in the area proposed to be so 
    included or excluded;
        (2) Whether the tribal governing body has determined that Indians 
    residing in the area near the reservation are socially and economically 
    affiliated with the tribe;
        (3) The geographic proximity to the reservation of the area whose 
    inclusion or exclusion is being considered; and
        (4) The level of funding which would be available for the provision 
    of contract health services.
        (c) Any redesignation under paragraph (b) of this section shall be 
    made in accordance with the procedures of the Administrative Procedure 
    Act (5 U.S.C. 553).
    
    
    Sec. 36.23  Persons to whom contract health services will be provided.
    
        (a) In general. To the extent that resources permit, and subject to 
    the provisions of this subpart, contract health services will be made 
    available as medically indicated, when necessary health services by an 
    Indian Health Service facility are not reasonably accessible or 
    available, to persons described in and in accordance with Sec. 36.12 of 
    this part if those persons:
        (1) Reside within the United States and on a reservation located 
    within a contract health service delivery area; or
        (2) Do not reside on a reservation but reside within a contract 
    health service delivery area and:
        (i) Are members of the tribe or tribes located on that reservation 
    or of the tribe or tribes for which the reservation was established; or
        (ii) Maintain close economic and social ties with that tribe or 
    tribes.
        (b) Students and transients. Subject to the provisions of this 
    subpart, contract health services will be made available to students 
    and transients who would be
    
    [[Page 58321]]
    
    eligible for contract health services at the place of their permanent 
    residence within a contract health service delivery area, but are 
    temporarily absent from their residence as follows:
        (1) Student--during their full-time attendance at programs of 
    vocational, technical, or academic education, including normal school 
    breaks (such as vacations, semester or other scheduled breaks occurring 
    during their attendance) and for a period not to exceed 180 days after 
    the completion of the course of study.
        (2) Transients (persons who are in travel or are temporarily 
    employed, such as seasonal or migratory workers) during their absence.
        (c) Other persons outside the contract health service delivery 
    area. Persons who leave the contract health service delivery area in 
    which they are eligible for contract health service and are neither 
    students nor transients will be eligible for contract health service 
    for a period not to exceed 180 days from such departure.
        (d) Foster children. Indian children who are placed in foster care 
    outside a contract health service delivery area by order of a court of 
    competent jurisdiction and who were eligible for contract health 
    services at the time of the court order shall continue to be eligible 
    for contract health services while in foster care.
        (e) Priorities for contract health services. When funds are 
    insufficient to provide the volume of contract health services 
    indicated as needed by the population residing in a contract health 
    service delivery area, priorities for service shall be determined on 
    the basis of relative medical need.
        (f) Alternate resources. The term ``alternate resources'' is 
    defined in Sec. 36.61(c) of Subpart G of this part.
    
    
    Sec. 36.24  Authorization for contract health services.
    
        (a) No payment will be made for medical care and services obtained 
    from non-Service providers or in non-Service facilities unless the 
    applicable requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section have 
    been met and a purchase order for the care and services has been issued 
    by the appropriate ordering official to the medical care provider.
        (b) In nonemergency cases, a sick or disabled Indian, an individual 
    or agency acting on behalf of the Indian, or the medical care provider 
    shall, prior to the provision of medical care and services notify the 
    appropriate ordering official of the need for services and supply 
    information that the ordering official deems necessary to determine the 
    relative medical need for the services and the individual's 
    eligibility. The requirement for notice prior to providing medical care 
    and services under this paragraph may be waived by the ordering 
    official if:
        (1) Such notice and information are provided within 72 hours after 
    the beginning of treatment or admission to a health care facility; and
        (2) The ordering official determines that giving of notice prior to 
    obtaining the medical care and services was impracticable or that other 
    good cause exists for the failure to provide prior notice.
        (c) In emergency cases, a sick or disabled Indian, or an individual 
    or agency acting on behalf of the Indian, or the medical care provider 
    shall within 72 hours after the beginning of treatment for the 
    condition or after admission to a health care facility notify the 
    appropriate ordering official of the fact of the admission or 
    treatment, together with information necessary to determine the 
    relative medical need for the services and the eligibility of the 
    Indian for the services. The 72-hour period may be extended if the 
    ordering official determines that notification within the prescribed 
    period was impracticable or that other good cause exists for the 
    failure to comply.
    
    
    Sec. 36.25  Reconsideration and appeals.
    
        (a) Any person to whom contract health services are denied shall be 
    notified of the denial in writing together with a statement of the 
    reason for the denial. The notice shall advise the applicant for 
    contract health services that within 30 days from the receipt of the 
    notice the applicant:
        (1) May obtain a reconsideration by the appropriate Service Unit 
    Director of the original denial if the applicant submits additional 
    supporting information not previously submitted; or
        (2) If no additional information is submitted, may appeal the 
    original denial by the Service Unit Director to the appropriate Area or 
    program director. A request for reconsideration or appeal shall be in 
    writing and shall set forth the grounds supporting the request or 
    appeal.
        (b) If the original decision is affirmed on reconsideration, the 
    applicant shall be so notified in writing and advised that an appeal 
    may be taken to the Area or program director within 30 days of receipt 
    of the notice of the reconsidered decision. The appeal shall be in 
    writing and shall set forth the grounds supporting the appeal.
        (c) If the original or reconsidered decision is affirmed on appeal 
    by the Area or program director, the applicant shall be so notified in 
    writing and advised that a further appeal may be taken to the Director, 
    Indian Health Service, within 30 days of receipt of the notice. The 
    appeal shall be in writing and shall set the grounds supporting the 
    appeal. The decision of the Director, Indian Health Service, shall 
    constitute final administrative action.
    
    Subpart D--[Reserved]
    
    Subpart E--Preference in Employment
    
        Authority: 25 U.S.C. 44, 45, 46 and 472; Pub. L. 83-568, 68 Stat 
    674, 42 U.S.C. 2003.
    
    
    Sec. 36.41  Definitions.
    
        For purposes of making appointments to vacancies in all positions 
    in the Indian Health Service, a preference will be extended to persons 
    of Indian descent who are:
        (a) Members of any recognized Indian tribe now under Federal 
    jurisdiction;
        (b) Descendants of such members who were, on June 1, 1934, residing 
    within the present boundaries of any Indian reservation;
        (c) All others of one-half or more Indian blood of tribes 
    indigenous to the United States;
        (d) Eskimos and other aboriginal people of Alaska; or
        (e) Until January 4, 1990, or until the Osage Tribe has formally 
    organized, whichever comes first, a person of at least one-quarter 
    degree Indian ancestry of the Osage Tribe of Indians, whose rolls were 
    closed by an act of Congress.
    
    
    Sec. 36.42  Appointment actions.
    
        (a) Preference will be afforded a person meeting any one of the 
    definitions of Sec. 36.41 whether the placement in the position 
    involves initial appointment, reappointment, reinstatement, transfer, 
    reassignment, promotion, or any other personnel action intended to fill 
    a vacancy.
        (b) Preference eligibles may be given a schedule A excepted 
    appointment under 5 CFR 213.3116(b)(8). If the individuals are within 
    reach on a Civil Service Register, they may be given a competitive 
    appointment.
    
    
    Sec. 36.43  Application procedure for preference eligibility.
    
        To be considered a preference eligible, the person must submit with 
    the employment application a Bureau of Indian Affairs certification 
    that the person is an Indian as defined by Sec. 36.41 except that an 
    employee of the Indian Health Service who has a certificate of 
    preference eligibility on file in the Official Personnel Folder is not 
    required to resubmit such proof but
    
    [[Page 58322]]
    
    may instead include a statement on the application that proof of 
    eligibility is on file in the Official Personnel Folder.
    
    Subpart F--Abortions and Related Medical Services in Indian Health 
    Service Facilities and Indian Health Service Programs
    
        Authority: Sec. 1, 42 Stat. 208, (25 U.S.C. 13); sec. 1, Stat. 
    674, (42 U.S.C. 2001); sec. 3, 68 Stat. 674, (42 U.S.C. 2003).
    
    
    Sec. 36.51  Applicability.
    
        This subpart is applicable to the use of Federal funds in providing 
    health services to Indians in accordance with the provisions of 
    subparts A, B, and C of this part.
    
    
    Sec. 36.52  Definitions.
    
        As used in this subpart:
        Physician means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy legally 
    authorized to practice medicine and surgery at an Indian Health Service 
    or tribally run facility, or by the state in which he or she practices.
    
    
    Sec. 36.53  General rule.
    
        Federal funds may not be used to pay for or otherwise provide for 
    abortions in the programs described in Sec. 36.51, except under the 
    circumstances described in Sec. 36.54.
    
    
    Sec. 36.54  Life of the mother would be endangered.
    
        Federal funds are available for an abortion when a physician has 
    found and so certified in writing to the appropriate tribal or other 
    contracting organization, or Service Unit or Area Director, that ``on 
    the basis of my professional judgment the life of the mother would be 
    endangered if the fetus were carried to term.'' The certification must 
    contain the name and address of the patient.
    
    
    Sec. 36.55  Drugs and devices and termination of ectopic pregnancies.
    
        Federal funds are available for drugs or devices to prevent 
    implantation of the fertilized ovum, and for medical procedures 
    necessary for the termination of an ectopic pregnancy.
    
    
    Sec. 36.56  Recordkeeping requirements.
    
        Documents required by Sec. 36.54 must be maintained for three years 
    pursuant to the retention and custodial requirements for records at 45 
    CFR part 74, subpart C.
    
    
    Sec. 36.57  Confidentiality.
    
        Information which is acquired in connection with the requirements 
    of this subpart may not be disclosed in a form which permits the 
    identification of an individual without the individual's consent, 
    except as may be necessary for the health of the individual or as may 
    be necessary for the Secretary to monitor Indian Health Service program 
    activities. In any event, any disclosure shall be subject to 
    appropriate safeguards which will minimize the likelihood of 
    disclosures of personal information in identifiable form.
    
    Subpart G--Residual Status
    
    
    Sec. 36.61  Payor of last resort.
    
        (a) The Indian Health Service is the payor of last resort for 
    persons defined as eligible for contract health services under the 
    regulations in this part, notwithstanding any State or local law or 
    regulation to the contrary.
        (b) Accordingly, the Indian Health Service will not be responsible 
    for or authorize payment for contract health services to the extent 
    that:
        (1) The Indian is eligible for alternate resources, as defined in 
    paragraph (c) of this section, or
        (2) The Indian would be eligible for alternate resources if he or 
    she were to apply for them, or
        (3) The Indian would be eligible for alternate resources under 
    State or local law or regulation but for the Indian's eligibility for 
    contract health services, or other health services, from the Indian 
    Health Service or Indian Health Service funded programs.
        (c) Alternate resources means health care resources other than 
    those of the Indian Health Service. Such resources include health care 
    providers and institutions, and health care programs for the payment of 
    health services including but not limited to programs under titles 
    XVIII or XIX of the Social Security Act (i.e., Medicare, Medicaid), 
    State or local health care programs, and private insurance.
    
    [FR Doc. 99-27417 Filed 10-28-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4160-16-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
10/28/1999
Published:
10/28/1999
Department:
Health and Human Services Department
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Republication of currently effective Indian Health Service eligibility regulations.
Document Number:
99-27417
Dates:
Effective October 28, 1999.
Pages:
58318-58322 (5 pages)
RINs:
0917-AAO3
PDF File:
99-27417.pdf
CFR: (23)
42 CFR 36.1
42 CFR 36.2
42 CFR 36.3
42 CFR 36.11
42 CFR 36.12
More ...