When Brandi Ahmie moved from Laguna Pueblo to Albuquerque after college in early 2020, she was focused on starting a new chapter in her life and career.
“I signed a new lease on an apartment on the cusp of the COVID-19 pandemic, right before the state had shut down,” Ahmie said. “It was a wild ride because what we didn’t know that would create a domino effect for the Pueblo to shut down, too. Because we had just signed a new lease, they basically told us that we weren’t residents of the Pueblo anymore and we couldn’t go back. All our stuff was still there!” Ahmie said.
That included her documentation for Indian Health Service (IHS) and Tribal Centers coverage of her health care—something she’d wind up struggling with for weeks when she got sick with COVID.
Like many Native Americans, Ahmie grew up believing she could go to any hospital without worrying about a bill. As long as she was a tribal member, she thought, her healthcare costs would be covered, no matter when she got care. But Ahmie learned that moving to a new city can change how you access medical care.
“When I got sick,” Ahmie said, “I had to do a lot of running around to get my medical records from my Pueblo clinic and secure the paperwork to get my care at the clinic in Albuquerque covered so I wouldn’t have a bill.”
Within tribal lands, funding for IHS and Tribal Centers is often tied to specific tribal boundaries. When you move away from your home reservation, you might not be considered a resident for your local clinic. This can lead to a gap in coverage, which can result in lots of paperwork to prove your eligibility—and sometimes big healthcare bills.
That’s when having your own health insurance can be a lifesaver, said Ahmie, who now has coverage through her job. If you can’t get affordable health insurance at work and you don’t qualify for Medicaid, BeWell is an affordable option for coverage.
How BeWell Works with IHS Coverage
Whether you live in a Pueblo or in the city, Native Americans can supplement their IHS with coverage through BeWell. You don’t need to choose between IHS and health insurance. And you can use your BeWell coverage to support the care that IHS doesn’t cover—such as getting health care in the city.
With a BeWell health insurance plan, you can continue to use IHS for your primary care. Having both gives you more options, such as:
- Access to more doctors: You can visit hospitals and specialists outside of the IHS.
- Prescription coverage: Plans through BeWell include coverage for medications.
- “IHS can be a big piece of a benefit,” said Ahmie, who has health insurance through her employer. “But you still need something else that can support you and cover additional things you need until you get established with IHS in the City.”
Plans offered through BeWell don’t replace IHS or Tribal/Urban Indian Health Centers coverage. They complement it. In fact, having personal health insurance benefits local clinics! When insurance pays for your care, IHS and Tribal Centers use that money to take care of people in the community.
Related: Read “Community Partnerships Support More Health Coverage for Native Americans”
Year-Round Enrollment for Native Americans
“When Native Americans move to the city and are trying to navigate urgent care or new primary care, or providers start asking for insurance or for coverage through a corporate plan, this may be a new concept for those who grew up believing their care was ‘just covered’ through IHS,” Ahmie said.
This is a learning curve, and it takes time to understand what is available and what makes sense for you.
That’s why flexibility is one of the biggest benefits of getting health insurance through BeWell. Members of federally recognized tribes can sign up for a plan or change their coverage at any time during the year. This can be especially helpful if you move, change jobs, your work-based coverage changes, or decide you want more insurance coverage.
Many Native Americans qualify for plans with zero or low monthly costs, with cost-sharing incentives and tax credits available. This means low-cost health coverage may be available.
Related: Read “How Native Americans Can Get Free to Low-Cost Health Insurance in 2026”
The Power of Prevention
Health insurance is not just for emergencies; it can help you stay healthy in the long term. Having a BeWell plan means you can get regular checkups and screenings, schedule with specialists, mental health and addiction providers and access to urgent care and hospitals.
Ahmie knows about the shock of an unexpected medical bill. After an emergency room visit for her child, she saw that without insurance, the bill would have been almost $3,000. Because she had health insurance, she only had to pay a fraction of that amount.
“Instead of closing the door on something you’re not sure about yet, at least take a peek,” she advised. “You might see a plan that fits you and could benefit your health in the long run.”
BeWell is here to provide trusted, local support. Call and speak with a Native American Certified Assister to ask questions and learn about your options. There’s no pressure to sign up. Health insurance can be a great way to protect your health, your future, and your family.
Questions about enrolling in health insurance? We can help you find the best plan. Call 833-862-3935 today or schedule an appointment to get help from a BeWell Certified Assister.
