Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (15 Sep 2026): Received in the Senate.
What this bill does
H.R. 8658, the Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act, would amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act's rules on emergency contract health services—cases where an Indian patient receives emergency medical care from a non-Indian Health Service provider or facility. Currently, a shorter notification deadline applies for most patients before payment can be made. This bill sets a minimum notification period of at least 15 days for the Indian Health Service to be notified of such emergency treatment or hospital admission, as a condition of payment. A separate, existing notification standard for elderly or disabled Indians under the same section would remain in place.
The bill primarily affects Indian patients who receive emergency care outside Indian Health Service facilities, along with the outside providers and facilities seeking payment, and the Indian Health Service itself, which processes these claims. By extending the minimum notification window, the bill aims to give patients, families, and providers more time to report emergency treatment without losing eligibility for payment.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Mike Kennedy on May 4, 2026, and passed the House by voice vote on September 14, 2026, under a suspension-of-the-rules procedure typically used for noncontroversial measures. It now goes to the Senate for consideration; no further action has yet occurred there.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act
This bill extends from 72 hours to not less than 15 days the time period to notify the Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) program of emergency medical care received from a non-Indian Health Service (IHS) medical provider or at a non-IHS medical facility. This bill does not apply to individuals who are elderly or disabled, who continue to have a 30-day notification requirement for emergency services.
The IHS provides medical and dental services directly to American Indian and Alaska Native patients whenever possible. The PRC program pays for medical or dental care that is provided away from an IHS or tribal health care facility. The PRC program must be notified of requests for authorization of payment for health care services from a non-IHS provider.
Currently in emergency cases, the patient, an individual on behalf of the patient, or the medical care provider must, within 72 hours after the beginning of treatment for the condition or after admission to a health care facility, notify a PRC authorizing official of the need for the emergency medical care. This bill instead allows the patient, other individual, or provider to notify PRC not less than 15 days of the treatment or admission.
Timeline
15 Sep 2026
Received in the Senate.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 8658 do?
- H.R. 8658, the Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act, would amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act's rules on emergency contract health services—cases where an Indian patient receives emergency medical care from a non-Indian Health Service provider or facility. Currently, a shorter notification deadline applies for most patients before payment can be made. This bill sets a minimum notification period of at least 15 days for the Indian Health Service to be notified of such emergency treatment or hospital admission, as a condition of payment. A separate, existing notification standard for elderly or disabled Indians under the same section would remain in place. The bill primarily affects Indian patients who receive emergency care outside Indian Health Service facilities, along with the outside providers and facilities seeking payment, and the Indian Health Service itself, which processes these claims. By extending the minimum notification window, the bill aims to give patients, families, and providers more time to report emergency treatment without losing eligibility for payment. The bill was introduced by Rep. Mike Kennedy on May 4, 2026, and passed the House by voice vote on September 14, 2026, under a suspension-of-the-rules procedure typically used for noncontroversial measures. It now goes to the Senate for consideration; no further action has yet occurred there.
- Has H.R. 8658 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 8658. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 8658?
- H.R. 8658 was sponsored by Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3] (R-UT), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 8658?
- Received in the Senate. (15 Sep 2026).
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