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Policy Watchtower/Program change

IHS updates Medicare Part D creditable coverage letter for tribal and urban programs

Health and Human ServicesCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesProgram changeOct 15, 2026

Check: The Indian Health Service (IHS) has updated its template letter confirming that prescription drug coverage through IHS, tribal health programs, and urban Indian organizations counts as creditable coverage (drug coverage that meets Medicare's standard) for Medicare Part D (the Medicare prescription drug benefit).

Read the original

What it does

Medicare beneficiaries who are American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) can use the letter to show prior creditable drug coverage when they enroll in a Part D plan after their Initial Enrollment Period (the first window to sign up for Medicare drug coverage), or when they ask for reconsideration of a late enrollment penalty (an extra premium charged for signing up late). Tribes and urban Indian organizations that serve these beneficiaries are encouraged to have staff in registration, benefits, business office, and pharmacy tell eligible patients about the letter and help them get it.

Why it matters for tribal funding

Consultation. A federal agency is asking tribal governments for their views before it decides ().

Who it covers: Tribal governments, Urban Indian organizations.

What to do next

  1. Have registration, benefits coordination, business office, and pharmacy staff tell Medicare-eligible patients that the Creditable Coverage Letter is available and what it is for.
  2. Adopt the enclosed IHS template letter as provided or adapt it to local letterhead, and identify a local point of contact for beneficiary requests.
  3. Questions can go to Mr. Raho Ortiz, Director, Division of Business Office Enhancement, IHS, at raho.ortiz@ihs.gov.

Sources

Every signal is built from public records. The highlighted words appear in the source exactly as shown.

  • Indian Health Service: Dear Tribal Leader Lettersdear_tribal_leader_letterOct 15, 2026

    The IHS Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to share an updated IHS Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage Letter, which reflects the current guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

    • Quoted from the source: “Tribes and Urban Indian Organizations may use the enclosed template letter as provided or adapt it to local letterhead and operational practices.”
    • Quoted from the source: “Organizations are encouraged to identify a local point of contact and establish a process for providing letters upon beneficiary requests.”
    • Quoted from the source: “Maintaining this documentation may help beneficiaries avoid unnecessary costs and administrative barriers when accessing Medicare prescription drug coverage.”
    Read the originalU.S. government record, public domain.

Terms with a dotted underline open a plain-language definition. This is guidance, not legal advice: the official text always controls. A free public service from GrantsPath, a Native-owned business.