I/T/U Eligibility and Enrollment Verification
The following are ways Indian Health Services/Tribal Health Program/Urban Indian Organization (I/T/U) facilities can verify American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Veteran eligibility:
Secure Data Transfer
Facilities can use the IHS Secure Data Transfer Service to request enrollment/eligibility information from the VA Health Eligibility Center (HEC). The IHS Secure Data Transfer is made available by IHS on a limited basis to enable I/T/U facilities to initially acquire a comprehensive listing of all their AI/AN Veteran enrollment and eligibility. Below are instructions for obtaining access to the IHS Secure Data Transfer Service and verifying Veteran eligibility and enrollment:
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STEP 1: I/T/U staff request access to the IHS Secure Data Transfer Service by emailing Cynthia Larsen. Access will be limited to email receipt and reply.
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STEP 2: I/T/U staff fills out columns A-C of the HEC Eligibility and Enrollment Verification Template and emails it via the IHS Secure Data Transfer Service to Ms. Larsen.
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STEP 3: VA HEC staff verifies the list of AI/AN Veteran’s eligibility and enrollment in the VA Healthcare System and fills in columns D-F of the Eligibility and Enrollment Verification Template.
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STEP 4: VA HEC staff returns the completed Eligibility and Enrollment Verification Template to Ms. Larsen via IHS Secure Data Transfer and she will return it to the I/T/U staff.
Contact the VA HEC by Telephone
I/T/U staff can contact the VA HEC directly by phone if the staff is checking the enrollment/eligibility on less than five Veterans. The Veteran’s name and social security number will be required. VA HEC can provide basic eligibility information over the phone (enrolled Y/N, enrollment date).
Health Eligibility Center
855-488-8441, Monday–Friday
7:00 a.m–5:30 p.m. Eastern Time
VA HEC Representative Contacts
Harris Smith: 404-828-5422
Parris Phillips: 404-828-5614
Contact Your Local VA Medical Center by Telephone
I/T/U staff can contact their local VA medical center to verify the AI/AN Veteran’s VA enrollment/eligibility by calling the VA Benefits Manager listed in the completed I/T/U Implementation Plan (page 6). It is recommended that I/T/U staff work through the local VA medical center Enrollment and Eligibility Coordinator to help determine if the Veteran is eligible for other limited benefits.
Veteran Provided Documentation
I/T/U staff may request documentation or information regarding a Veteran’s specific VA health care eligibility and/or service-connected disability directly from the Veteran (e.g., VA letter, etc.).
Resources
- I/T/U Initiation and Implementation
Information outlining the process for starting and implementing the I/T/U reimbursement agreement.