Introduction

The Tribal Technical Advisory Group (TTAG) is a group of elected tribal leaders, or an appointed representative from their Area, who are nominated from the twelve areas of the Indian Health Service (IHS) delivery System. The TTAG serves as an advisory committee to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on important health care matters associated with the Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children Health Insurance Programs. There is a Principal Member and an Alternate from each of the twelve service areas. These areas are: Alaska, Aberdeen, Albuquerque, Bemidji, Billings, California, Nashville, Navajo, Oklahoma, Phoenix, Portland, and Tucson. In addition to these twelve areas, there is representation from the three Washington, DC based advocacy organizations: Tribal Self Governance Advisory Committee, National Indian Health Board, and National Congress of American Indians.

Recently the TTAG has divided into smaller subcommittees (Adobe Acrobat PDF) to analyze major Medicare and Medicaid topics effecting AI/ANs in greater detail. Individual TTAG and MMPC members along with employees from the CMS and IHS are subcommittee members. These subcommittees include, but are not limited to: Across State Borders, Durable Medical Equipment, Federal Supply Schedule, Medicare Administrative Match, Outreach and Education and the Strategic Plan, Medicare Part B, Equitable Relief, and Tribal Consultation subcommittees.

For more information about the TTAG and the MMPC Technical Advisors, please refer to the document Tribal Technical Advisory Group Membership (Adobe Acrobat PDF).

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Announces Release of Two Policy Letters on Cost-Sharing Protections for Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries

• ARRA Protections for Indians in Medicaid and CHIP
  This letter provides guidance on the Recovery Act provisions related to cost sharing-protections for Indians. Section 5006 of the Recovery Act provides certain premium and cost-sharing protections under Medicaid and exemption for certain Indian-specific property from consideration in determining Medicaid eligibility and from Medicaid estate recovery. It also provides certain Medicaid managed care protections for Indian health programs and Indian beneficiaries and establishes new requirements for consultation on Medicaid and CHIP with Indian health programs. To download a copy of the letter, please click here.
• Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHPRA) Premium Grace Period
  This letter discusses section 504 of the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) related to providing families with a 30 day grace period during which they may pay past due premiums before being de-enrolled from the CHIP program. This new provision also and includes new requirements for States to notify families of their rights and responsibilities with respect to payment of premiums. To download a copy of the letter, please click here.