Potawot Village in Arcata, United Indian Health Services’ main facility. Photo: UIHS.
Press release from United Indian Health Services:
United Indian Health Services (UIHS) announced today that it has
become the first Indian Health Care Provider (IHCP) in California to
successfully receive Medi-Cal reimbursement for Traditional Health
Care Practices. This milestone follows the October 2024 federal
approval of California’s Section 1115 CalAIM waiver, which
authorized Medicaid coverage for cultural healing services as part of
substance use disorder treatment for the first time in state history.
UIHS recently
satisfied a claim under new California Department of Health Care
Services (DHCS) regulations, marking a significant step in
integrating culturally rooted healing practices into mainstream
healthcare.
“This milestone
represents the culmination of decades of advocacy and the resilience
of our communities,” said Elizabeth Lara-O’Rourke, CEO.
“Recognizing the healing practices of our people as part of
comprehensive care affirms what American Indian / Alaska Native
(AI/AN) communities have always known – that culture is healing.”
For generations,
Native communities have relied on traditional healers and natural
helpers to provide holistic wellness, though these services were
historically not eligible for reimbursement. By working through the
state approval process, UIHS can now offer these culturally based
healing services as part of everyday care and be reimbursed.
This milestone
reflects UIHS’s ongoing commitment to making culturally grounded
healing more accessible for Native communities.
About United Indian
Health Services (UIHS) United Indian Health Services is a healthcare
organization providing comprehensive, culturally competent care to
AI/AN communities in Northern California. UIHS integrates medical,
dental, vision, behavioral health, and traditional health services to
support holistic wellness and continues to lead in advancing
culturally grounded care.