This page explains how Medicare works with the health programs of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians. It is published by Benefits Life, a licensed insurance agency. We are not affiliated with the tribe. For tribal eligibility, benefits and current hours, contact the tribe's health programs directly.
Cow Creek Health & Wellness Center
The tribe's government offices are at 2371 NE Stephens Street in Roseburg, in Douglas County. Cow Creek Health & Wellness Center has three locations (main line 541-672-8533):
- North Campus, 2589 NW Edenbower Blvd, Roseburg: family medicine, lab draws, immunizations, podiatry, eye screening, behavioral health integration and nutrition counseling.
- South Campus, 480 Wartahoo Lane, Canyonville: family medicine, lab, pediatric services and radiology (radiology is at this campus only).
- Village Station, 500 SE Cass Ave, Roseburg: behavioral health, substance use treatment and public health programs.
The tribe says it serves Cow Creek tribal members, Native Americans and all other communities, and that anyone can register to be a patient. Its on-site pharmacy is for established patients and began serving tribal members in March 2026.
Purchased/Referred Care and Medicare
The tribe offers Purchased/Referred Care and an Over-the-Counter Program through the tribal-members-only side of its website. Under federal rules, the Indian Health Service is the payer of last resort: it does not pay when Medicare, Medicaid or other coverage would pay (42 CFR 136.61). The clinic asks patients to bring an updated insurance card to each visit, and says patients are responsible for charges not covered by insurance, Medicare or another payer. Ask the clinic how PRC applies to you before you schedule outside care.
How Medicare works with your Cow Creek care
- Medicare pays your clinic. CMS says you can keep using your Indian health care provider, and the provider bills Medicare for you.
- Part B. The standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026. Tribal health care is not employer coverage, so it doesn't let you delay Part B without a late enrollment penalty.
- Part D. Drug coverage from IHS, a tribe or an urban Indian organization counts as creditable coverage, so you won't pay a Part D late penalty for the months you had it (42 CFR 423.56). Every Part D plan must offer contract terms to Indian health pharmacies in its area; ask the clinic pharmacy which plans it works with.
- No special enrollment rules. Tribal members use the same enrollment periods as everyone else. Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs October 15 to December 7, 2026.
- Help paying. If your income is limited, you may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, Extra Help or the Oregon Health Plan.
Medicare plans in Douglas County
CMS data list 4 Medicare Advantage plans open to everyone in Douglas County for 2027. Networks vary by plan, and a tribal clinic may not be in a plan's network; CMS advises checking with your Indian health care provider before you enroll. Original Medicare pays any provider in the country that accepts Medicare. See Medicare in Douglas County and tribal health and Medicare in Oregon.
Where to get help
- Cow Creek Health & Wellness Center, for questions about your tribal health benefits.
- 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY 1-877-486-2048) or Medicare.gov.
- Social Security, 1-800-772-1213, to sign up for Part A and Part B.
- To compare plans that work with your clinic, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent, or see licensed insurance agents in Oregon.
See all Oregon tribal Medicare guides.
Sources
- Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians — Cow Creek Health and Wellness
- Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians — Health and Wellness staff and pharmacy
- CMS — Important Facts about Medicare for American Indians and Alaska Natives
- CMS — Medicare and Tribal Medicare Beneficiaries: Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
- 42 CFR 136.61 — Payor of last resort
- 42 CFR 423.56 — Creditable prescription drug coverage
Frequently asked questions
Do Cow Creek members need to enroll in Medicare?
Medicare is your choice, but tribal health care is not insurance. Medicare covers care anywhere in the country and lets the clinics bill Medicare, and federal rules make Purchased/Referred Care the payer of last resort when Medicare or other coverage could pay.
Where are the Cow Creek clinics?
The tribe lists the North Campus at 2589 NW Edenbower Blvd in Roseburg and the South Campus at 480 Wartahoo Lane in Canyonville, both at 541-672-8533, plus Village Station in Roseburg for behavioral and public health.
Are there special Medicare enrollment periods for tribal members?
No. American Indians and Alaska Natives use the same Medicare enrollment periods as everyone else: the Initial Enrollment Period around age 65, Open Enrollment from October 15 to December 7, and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31.
Should I give the clinic my Medicare card?
Yes. The clinic asks patients to bring an updated insurance card to each visit, so it can bill Medicare and any other coverage before tribal programs pay.
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