The Seminole Tribe's clinics
The Seminole Tribe of Florida's Health and Human Services Department runs health care on the reservations. Its clinics:
| Clinic | Location |
|---|---|
| Betty Mae Jumper Clinic | Hollywood |
| Big Cypress Clinic | Big Cypress (Clewiston address) |
| Brighton Clinic | Brighton (Okeechobee address) |
| Immokalee Clinic | Immokalee |
| Tampa Health Office | Tampa |
Seminole Pharmacy fills prescriptions for eligible patients, and dental clinics operate at Hollywood, Big Cypress, Immokalee and Brighton. IHS lists the Tribe's health program as tribally administered, and IHS says such programs may have their own eligibility rules. The Tribe has run its health programs under a self-governance compact with IHS since 2001.
How Medicare fits
- Keep using the clinics. Medicare doesn't take the place of tribal care. With Original Medicare, CMS says most Indian health care providers are paid for the Medicare-covered services they provide, which brings more resources to the program.
- Care outside the clinics. Medicare covers hospitals and specialists anywhere in the country that accept Medicare. Before tribal or IHS referred-care funds pay for outside care, federal rules require Medicare and other coverage to pay first.
- The Tribe's health plan. The Tribe has a self-funded health plan. Medicare.gov says Medicare pays first and a tribal health plan pays second.
- Prescriptions. Medicare says that if you get drugs through an Indian health pharmacy, you'll keep getting them at no cost and your coverage won't be interrupted. If you join a Part D plan, it pays the facility for your drugs.
Before you join a Medicare Advantage plan
CMS's tribal guide says your Indian health care provider may not be in a Medicare Advantage plan's network and may be paid less or not at all, so contact your provider before you enroll. Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra benefits such as dental, vision, hearing or fitness. Extra benefits vary by plan and county, may have limits and costs, and not every plan offers them. Check a plan's Summary of Benefits or Evidence of Coverage. There's no special enrollment period just for American Indians, so if someone says you can switch plans any time, check with the Tribe's health program first.
Getting help
- Ask your clinic. The Tribe's social work program lists help with Social Security and Medicare programs, and the clinics' patient registration coordinators handle registration.
- Sign up for Medicare on time. Apply through Social Security at ssa.gov or 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
- Get your creditable coverage letter. Ask your Indian health provider for a letter saying you have creditable drug coverage, in case you join a Part D plan later.
Full details in our guide to the Seminole Tribe, the Miccosukee Tribe and Medicare. After checking with your clinic, you can also request a call from a licensed insurance agent.
Related questions
Do American Indians need Part B and Part D?
Penalties, creditable coverage and why enrolling helps.
Does IHS referred care pay after Medicare?
Payer of last resort, explained.
How does Medicare work with the Miccosukee clinic?
The Miccosukee Tribe's health program.
Sources
- Seminole Tribe of Florida — Health and Human Services
- Seminole Tribe of Florida — Health clinics
- Indian Health Service — Nashville Area health care facilities
- Indian Health Service — Office of Tribal Self-Governance, self-governance tribes
- CMS Division of Tribal Affairs — Medicare and Tribal Medicare Beneficiaries
- Medicare.gov — Who pays first? (Indian Health Service; tribal health plans)
- CMS — Your Guide to Medicare Drug Coverage (Product No. 11109, June 2026)
- eCFR — 42 CFR 136.61, Payor of last resort
More questions in this guide
- Do American Indians in Florida need Medicare Part B and Part D if they use IHS or tribal clinics?
- Does IHS Purchased/Referred Care pay after Medicare in Florida?
- How does Medicare work with the Miccosukee health clinic?
Part of the guide: The Seminole Tribe, the Miccosukee Tribe and Medicare in Florida · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Where are the Seminole Tribe's health clinics?
The Tribe lists the Betty Mae Jumper Clinic in Hollywood, the Big Cypress Clinic, the Brighton Clinic, the Immokalee Clinic and the Tampa Health Office.
Does Medicare pay before the Tribe's health plan?
Yes. Medicare.gov says that if you have health insurance through a tribal health plan, Medicare pays first and the tribal health plan pays second.
Who at the Tribe can help me with Medicare?
The Seminole Tribe's Health and Human Services social work program lists help with Social Security and Medicare programs. Clinic patient registration coordinators handle registration.
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