Native American Tribes in Wisconsin Improve Health Care Delivery

Wisconsin Inter-Tribal managed care demonstration project

From 1996 to 2000, staff the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council developed and implemented a more coordinated, cost-effective approach to health care among Native American tribes in Wisconsin, based upon assessment and planning activities conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School.

The council, based in Lac du Flambeau, Wis., supports member tribes in expanding sovereignty and self-determination.

Key Results: The project resulted in the following improvements among the tribal health operations:

  • Increased access to third-party revenues, with tribal benefits counselors helping to promote a 41 percent increase in Medicaid and Healthy Start applications over 18 months and gaining client eligibility in 82 percent of cases.
  • Improved drug pricing.
  • Greater leverage with laboratories.
  • Closer communications among pharmacists.
  • Better data.
  • Improved clinical management.
  • Stronger university-tribe ties.

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