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The Osage Congress passed legislation in 2014 to provide supplemental Medicare benefits for qualifying Osages 65 years and older and the benefits will become available July 1, 2015. However, in order for Osage Elders to receive coverage on July 1 they must mail in their application by May 23.

Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear supports the supplemental coverage for Osage elders. In an executive memorandum to Osage elders on April 27 the Chief stated, “It is my pleasure to introduce the Osage Nation’s latest tribal elder health benefit-optional Medigap coverage…our elders are our greatest asset and as such we are proud to support you.”

HealthSmart is the contracted health insurance provider for the Osage Nation. Vice President of Sales, Tom Bartlett, said he is consistently impressed with the generosity of the Osage Nation in providing services for the Osage people.

Congresswoman Shannon Edwards, who sponsored the bill, said “The supplement is another step forward to putting our revenues to use for the greater good.” Edwards also said the additional coverage fulfills the Nation’s constitutional mandate to provide for Osage elders.

On May 12, 2015 at 4 pm HealthSmart and United American Insurance Company are hosting an informational town hall meeting available online at osagenation-nsn.gov and again at the Wah Zha Zhi Cultural Center, in Pawhuska at 5pm.

Read the Full News Release at the Osage Nation Link.