Chapter 5 - Health Services For Indians And
Alaska Native Advanced Students

2-5.1  GENERAL:

1. The basic objective of the Indian Health Service to provide health care to Indian and Alaska Native people is not altered by the temporary absence from their area of permanent residence.

2. The Indian Health Service will provide for medical and dental care for all advanced students and such dependents as may accompany them who come within the scope of the Indian Health program.

3. As used in this issuance, the following term will have the following meaning:

   Advanced Student.  A student attending a school of learning above the high school level, e.g., college, junior college, vocational or technical school.  (Trainees supported by BIA Employment Assistance Programs are excluded from the category of advanced students because the Bureau of Indian Affairs has assumed the responsibility for the health services for these individuals.  (However, Such trainees should not be denied direct services at IHS facilities).

2-5.2  PROCEDURES:

1. All possible medical and dental care should be provided to the student and his dependents prior to departure from the Area of which they are resident and within the scope of the Indian Health program.  Thereafter, total health care will be provided for the student and dependents while in school to the extent that such care is not available through other resources such as the student health plan, BIA insurance plans, or other state and county programs.

2. Where the student has enrolled in a school within the Service area of an IHS facility, program direction and services (including contract health services) shall be provided by the Service Unit Director of that IHS facility.  (See attached list).

3. When the student has enrolled in a school not within the Service area of an IHS facility, program direction and costs will be borne by the area of origin or residence.

2-5.3  EXAMINATIONS:

1. Prior to leaving for school complete medical and dental examinations should be provided to the student and to his dependent family if they arc to accompany him.

2. Examinations, both medical and dental, shall be by scheduled appointment as early as possible in the student's plans for entrance in order to allow for as complete an examination as possible, and for any follow-up or corrective measures necessary.  The Area of origin is responsible for obtaining advance listings of students and distribute the listings to Service Units having schools within their service area.  (See attached list).

3. Corrective measures, if indicated, will be conducted prior to departure of the student and his dependents.  Where time does not allow for completion of indicated treatment, the Indian Health Area Director may authorize expenditure of funds through contract health services, provided that no other sources are available to the student.

4. Where time does not permit an examination in advance of departure, examinations will be conducted by the Area where the student is domiciled for schooling.  If the student is enrolled outside the Indian Health Areas, the IHAD may authorize expenditure from contract health service funds for necessary care at the time of the student's admission if no other source (state, local, BIA etc.) are available to the student and/or dependents accompanying him.  Students should be provided a summary of his and his dependents health history.  Students or dependents under medication or when continued medical supervision is recommended should be given a written health plan.

2-5.4  RECORDS:

The records of medical and dental examinations for the student and his dependents shall be maintained by the facility as a patient record.

  POST-HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL CENTERS ENROLLING INDIAN STUDENTS