Welcome to the National Indian Health Board’s new Medicare website for Native Elders and individuals interested in Native Elder issues. It is estimated there are over 120,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives over the age of 65. Many of these Elders live in rural areas and rely heavily upon federal and tribal assistance for housing, health care and transportation.

As you may know there are some new and exciting changes in Medicare. From the passage of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act to (also referred to as the Medicare Modernization Act) to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Transitional Drug Discount card - NIHB hopes to provide you with all of the current and upcoming information about American Indian and Alaska Native Elder health care issues.

Medicare was created in 1965 as an entitlement to elderly Americans. It is currently the third largest federal program behind Social Security and Medicaid. In 2003, the entire Medicare and Medicaid programs were reworked and have major changes. As these changes are implemented NIHB will provide information for you through the usage of this website and other mediums.

Remember, Medicare is an entitlement to ALL Americans – both Native and non-Native. The health care coverage provided by this federal program serves to improve the health of elderly Americans, and it is vitally important that eligible American Indians and Alaska Natives participate in the Medicare program to ease the burden of the historical under funding of AI/AN health programs. We hope that this website will help you navigate the waters of Medicare and related services as well as the new Prescription Card that will run through calendar year 2005.

Contact

Stacy A. Bohlen
Executive Director
National Indian Health Board
101 Constitution Avenue, NW
Suite 8-B02
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 742 4328
Fax: (202) 742 4285
sbohlen@nihb.org