Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2025

House Bill

H.R. 1418

119th Congress

Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2025

In Committee

Introduced:Feb 24, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Dusty Johnson

Representative

Republican

SD-0

Cosponsors

7

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Native Americans

Summary

This bill requires the Indian Health Service to reimburse patients within 30 days when they pay out of pocket for authorized purchased or referred care services. It updates IHS procedures to ensure timely reimbursement for Native patients.

Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill requires the Indian Health Service to reimburse patients within 30 days when they pay out of pocket for authorized purchased or referred care services. It updates IHS procedures to ensure timely reimbursement for Native patients.

Last updated: 1/5/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2025This bill specifies that the Indian Health Service (IHS) must reimburse patients for their out-of-pocket costs for authorized purchased/referred care services within 30 days. (The IHS provides medical and dental services directly to American Indian and Alaska Native patients whenever possible. However, when services are not available, IHS beneficiaries may be referred to private providers. This is called purchased/referred care.)Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish and implement procedures to allow a patient who paid out of pocket for purchased/referred care services authorized by the IHS to be reimbursed by the IHS for that payment no later than 30 days after the patient submits required documentation. Additionally, the bill requires HHS to update applicable provisions of and exhibits to the Indian Health Manual, contracts with providers, and other relevant documents and administrative authorities to incorporate the provisions of the bill.The bill also replaces statutory references to contract health service with purchased/referred care.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Requires 30-day IHS reimbursement for patient expenses
Covers purchased and referred care services
Updates Indian Health Manual procedures
Applies when patients pay out of pocket for authorized care
Improves timely payment for Native American patients

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

American Indian and Alaska Native patients who pay upfront for approved medical care would be guaranteed reimbursement within a month. This addresses delays that can create financial hardship for tribal members seeking healthcare outside IHS facilities.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Native Americans

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

1418, 119th Congress (2025). "Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-1418