Indian Health Service (IHS)

About This Program

The Indian Health Service (IHS) provides comprehensive healthcare to American Indians and Alaska Natives as part of the federal government's trust responsibility to tribal nations. IHS operates a nationwide system of hospitals, health centers, health stations, and Alaska Native health corporations, serving approximately 2.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives across 37 states. Covered services include primary care, dental care, behavioral health and mental health, substance use treatment, pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, and referrals for specialty care not available at local IHS facilities. The Purchase/Referred Care program covers services from non-IHS providers when IHS facilities cannot provide them, subject to funding availability. Eligibility requires membership in a federally recognized tribe or eligibility as defined by IHS, and services are generally available at no charge at IHS direct service facilities. However, IHS is chronically underfunded — per capita spending is significantly below that of other federal healthcare programs — and access to services, particularly specialty care, varies greatly by location. Some areas are well-served by IHS or tribally operated facilities; others, particularly urban areas, have limited IHS-specific resources. The Urban Indian Health Program funds clinics in cities that serve American Indian and Alaska Native individuals who live away from reservations or tribal service areas. These urban Indian organizations (UIOs) provide primary care, behavioral health, and other services at reduced or no cost.

Eligibility Requirements

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