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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Purchased/Referred Care (PRC)

Requirements: Priorities of Care

Medical Priorities

We have restructured the IHS PRC Medical Priorities to integrate all aspects of the care continuum, in a balanced way that is evidence-based, outcome-oriented, and consistent. The conceptual framework of this update to the IHS PRC Medical Priorities embodies the principles of integrated care, recognizing that priorities for purchased/referred care need to incorporate certain ?CORE? elements in each of four categories of care. These include:

  • Preventive and Rehabilitative Services;
  • Medical, Dental, Vision and Surgical Services;
  • Reproductive and Maternal/Child Health Services;, and
  • Behavioral Health Services.

Each category has been populated with referral services deemed core, intermediate, and elective representing priority 1, priority 2, and priority 3 respectively.

We greatly value the importance of a holistic and patient-centered model of care. Our goal is to renew our commitment to providing quality healthcare by better integrating direct and referral care services with the ultimate goal of improving the health of the tribal communities whom we are privileged to serve.