How to the Medical Benefits Office
Tera Hatley,
Member Services Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (918) 541-1324
Applications
Mission Statement
The Medical Benefits Plan was created as a way for the tribe to assist tribal elders ages 65 and older, veterans, and tribal members between the ages of 18 and 64 who are totally disabled with paying for out-of-pocket medical expenses. Out-of-pocket medical expenses that are allowed under this program are those that are medically necessary, but not covered by insurance.
This program runs on the fiscal year, which begins October 1st and ends September 30th of each year. Each participant must submit an enrollment application to receive his or her check. Each year, participants must resubmit an application to renew their medical benefits. $500 is the maximum benefit allowable per tribal member, per fiscal year. If you are an elder and a veteran, you will receive an additional $250, a total of $750 on your card.
"This is just a small way to show our veterans that their tribe appreciates them and their families for all they have sacrificed," Chief Lankford said.
To be eligible for this program, applicants must:
- Be a tribal member with an enrollment number
- Be over the age of 65; and/or a veteran with proof of honorable or medical discharge, or current service status; and/or meet the definition of totally disabled as defined by the federal government:
- lacks the ability to engage in any substantial gainful activity;
- the incapacity is due to one or more medically determinable physical or mental impairments; and
- the incapacity has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months or to result in death.
- Fill out and submit the application with proper documentation
We are no longer going to be issuing benefit cards. The benefit will be paid by check for this benefit plan year 2022-2023. Your existing benefit MasterCard WILL NOT be reloaded with funds.
If you have additional questions, please contact Tera Hatley at (918) 541-1324.
The Elder Benefit Program reimburses tribal elders 65 years and older up to $500 per fiscal year for out-of-pocket medical expenses. Out-of-pocket medical expenses that are reimbursable under this program are those that are medically necessary, but not covered by insurance, or if no insurance coverage is present. Office visit co-pays (medical, dental, vision, chiropractic), prescription co-pays, medical equipment (such as blood-glucose monitors, blood pressure monitors, etc.), eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures are examples of the out-of-pocket medical expenses that can be reimbursed through this program.
Using Your Elder Benefit
- This program runs on the fiscal year, which begins October 1st and ends September 30th of each year.
- Each participant must submit an enrollment application to receive his or her card. Each year, participants must resubmit an application to reload their cards.
- Only actual charges are eligible for reimbursement. Please do not submit copies of checks, canceled checks, copies of money orders, or receipts from the purchase of money orders for reimbursement under this program.
- $500 is the maximum benefit allowable per tribal member, per fiscal year.
Medical Benefit Application Plan
The tribe is now offering a medical benefits card to all veterans. It will work just like the elders and disability benefit card. Veterans will receive a debit card, pre-loaded with $500 to assist with healthcare expenses. If you are an elder and a veteran, you will receive an additional $250, a total of $750 on your card.
Veterans need to apply through the Enrollment Office and provide proof of honorable or medical discharge, or current service status.
"This is just a small way to show our veterans that their tribe appreciates them and their families for all they have sacrificed," Chief Lankford said.
If you have additional questions, please contact Tera Hatley at 918-541-1324.
Disability Reimbursement Program
The Disability Reimbursement Program is a new program created for those tribal members who are between the ages of 18 and 64 and who are totally disabled. Like the Elder Benefit Program, this program reimburses eligible tribal members for out-of-pocket medical expenses that are medically necessary, that are not covered by insurance or if no insurance coverage is present.
Office visit co-pays (medical, dental, vision, chiropractic), prescription co-pays, medical equipment (such as blood-glucose monitors, blood pressure monitors, etc.), eye-glasses, hearing aids, dentures are examples of the out-of-pocket medical expenses that can be reimbursed through this program.
To be eligible for this program, tribal members must meet the following definition of totally disabled as defined by the federal government:
- lacks the ability to engage in any substantial gainful activity;
- the incapacity is due to one or more medically determinable physical or mental impairments; and
- the incapacity has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months or to result in death.
Important things to remember for the Elder Reimbursement Program and the Disability Reimbursement Program:
- These programs run on the fiscal year, which begins October 1st and ends September 30th of each year.
- Each year you will need to resubmit an application to reload your card or to get your first card.
- $500 is the maximum benefit allowable per tribal member per fiscal year.
Veterans Benefit
The tribe is now offering a benefits card to all veterans. It will work just like the elders and disability benefit card. Veterans will receive a debit card, pre-loaded with $500 to help with healthcare expenses. If you are an elder and a veteran, you will receive an additional $250, a total of $750 on your card.
Veterans need to apply through the Enrollment Office and provide proof of honorable or medical discharge, or current service status.
"This is just a small way to show our veterans that their tribe appreciates them and their families for all they have sacrificed," Chief Lankford said.
If you have additional questions, please contact Tera Hatley at 918-541-1324.