VA expands reimbursement agreement program to Urban Indian Organizations

WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs partners with Health and Human Services’ 41 Indian Health Service grant-funded Urban Indian Organizations serving eligible American Indian/Alaska Native Veterans.

The collaboration is part of a recent expansion of VA’s health care Reimbursement Agreement Program.

UIOs provide unique access to quality health care and culturally appropriate services for AI/AN people living in urban areas, who may not have access to Indian Health Service or Tribal health care services because they do not live on or near a reservation or reside outside of an IHS area.

The partnership is possible through Section 1113 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 which amended Sharing Arrangements with Federal Agencies to allow UIOs to participate in the department’s Reimbursement Agreement Program to deliver health care to the 70% of AI/AN Veterans now living in urban areas.

“VA has partnered with the Indian Health Services/Tribal Health Program since 2012 to deliver the Reimbursement Agreement Program — which continues to evolve to meet the needs of all Veterans,” said Acting Chief Medical Officer of VA’s Office of Integrated Veteran Care Sachin P. Yende, M.D. “Partnering with Urban Indian Organizations will widen access to culturally sensitive care and build mutually-beneficial relationships to better serve American Indian/Alaska Native Veterans.”

Visit Community Care for more information on VA’s reimbursement Agreement Program and eligibility. Find more information on the 41 Urban Indian Organizations.