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 and 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.

This group is technically supported by the Medicare and Medicaid Policy Committee (MMPC). The TTAG and the MMPC meet regularly to discuss how the CMS and the Indian Health Service (IHS) can better provide health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). With the passage of the Medicare Modernization Act, there is the realization that CMS needs to be able to deliver services in a more culturally appropriate and better way for our Native Elders.

Recently the TTAG has divided into smaller subcommittees (Microsoft Word) 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 (Microsoft Word).