Indian Health Care Improvement Act Definition
The Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S. Code 1603A) amended the Social Security Act to permit reimbursement by Medicare and Medicaid for services provided to American Indians and Alaska Natives in Indian Health Service (IHS) and tribal health care facilities.
The Indian Health Care Improvement Act includes all of the following definitions:
●California Indian
The term “California Indian” means any Indian who is eligible for health services provided by the Service pursuant to section 1679 of this title.
●Indians or Indian
The term “Indians” or “Indian”, unless otherwise designated, means any person who is a member of an Indian tribe, is a member of a tribe, band, or other organized group of Indians, including those tribes, bands, or groups terminated since 1940 and those recognized now or in the future by the State in which they reside, or who is a descendant, in the first or second degree, of any such member, or is an Eskimo, Aleut, or other Alaska Native.
●Urban Indian
The term “Urban Indian” means any individual who resides in an urban center, as defined in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.