VHA Office of Tribal Health
About us
The Office of Tribal Health was established in December 2021 and directly reports to the VHA Office of the Deputy Under Secretary for Health. The Office provides VHA with leadership, guidance, and strategic direction to support American Indian/Alaska Native Veteran health care and access. Dr. Christie Prairie Chicken, an expert on Native American health care, serves as the Office’s director and has more than 34 years of federal government experience.
VHA-Indian Health Service Memorandum of Understanding
The intent of the VHA-Indian Health Service (IHS) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to ensure that both organizations achieve greater accountability, prioritization and success in service to Native Veterans. VHA’s management of the MOU transitioned from the VHA Office of Rural Health to the Office of Tribal Health in May 2024. To achieve the MOU’s goals and objectives, VHA and IHS established five workgroups that align to the VHA-IHS MOU Executive Committee, which include Access, Resource Sharing, Data/Metrics & IT, Outreach, and Communications.
Apply for the American Indian/Alaska Native Veteran Copayment Exemption
Since implementing the Copayment Exemption in April 2023, VA has exempted and/or reimbursed for more than 300,000 copayments totaling more than $5.3 million.
The Office of Tribal Health frequently provides Copayment Exemption communications and outreach to encourage Veteran applications. If VA partners wish to help spread the word, the Office developed a communications and outreach toolkit that contains approved language for use where the intended audience is Veterans.
To apply for the Copayment Exemption, eligible Native Veterans must complete three steps:
- Make a copy of one of the following official Tribal documents: Tribal Enrollment or Citizenship/Membership ID Card; or Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaska Native Blood issued by the Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Documentation issued by a Tribe on official letterhead indicating individual affiliation.
- Fill out VA Form 10-334 and make a copy. The form can be found at .
- Mail copies of both documents to the address below:
VHA Tribal Documentation
PO Box 5100
Janesville, WI 53547-5100
Please note that Veterans must be enrolled in VA health care to receive the Copayment Exemption.
Learn more about copays.
To obtain a copy of the toolkit, please contact the Office.
Resources
The table below contains links to additional resources that may be useful for Veterans, their families, and caregivers.
- Contact VA
MyVA411 Main Information Line (800-698-2411)
VA Health Benefits Hotline (877-424-3838)
VA Benefits Hotline (800-827-1000) - Apply for VA Health Care
877-222-8387 - Apply for VA Benefits
- Eligibility for VA Disability Benefits
- How to File a VA Disability Claim
- Find and Appoint or Manage Your Claims Representative
- Find VA Locations
- VA Mental Health Resources
- National Call Center for Homeless Veterans
Dial 1-877-424-3838 and Press 1 (24/7) - Women Veterans Call Center
Dial 1-855-829-6636 - War Vet Call Center
Dial 1-877-927-8387 - Caregiver Support
Dial 1-855–260–3274 - VA Native American Direct Loan (NADL) Program
- VA Office of Tribal Government Relations
Office of Tribal Health Outreach
The Office of Tribal Health provides outreach across the nation and welcomes the opportunity to partner during events hosted by others. Please email VHAOfficeofTribalHealth@va.gov about upcoming outreach opportunities.