Medical Emergency Travel Assistance

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Elsie Thomas

Coordinator

Address

3009 E. Portland Avenue

Tacoma, WA 98404

Contact Numbers

(253) 573-7884

(253) 573-7851 Fax

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday

8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Mission Statement

The intent of the Medical Emergency Travel Assistance Program is to assist Puyallup Tribal Members with traveling expenses while visiting a relative who is hospitalized for one or more days.

Maximum Assistance Guidelines

When the hospital is:

  • Located within the county that the hospitalized relative and applicant is residing, the maximum travel assistance is $75;
  • Located outside the county in which the applicant is residing and in the state in which the applicant is living the maximum is $125;
  • Located outside the state in which the applicant is living the maximum amount is $500;
  • The applicant may have the option to request cost of round-trip airline ticket, if living outside the state;
  • When a family has to fly into Washington State, they can be offered two rooms at the Emerald Queen Fife Casino at no charge, based on the availability of rooms. The family spokesperson will determine who
    receives the rooms. Any other family members wishing to stay at the hotel will be offered a discounted rate, when rooms are available. Rooms will be available for a maximum of 3 days.

Additional Hospital Stays

  • Newborns under the age of 12 months with a hospital stay longer then three weeks can qualify for a second travel assistance distribution;
  • Family member of an individual who has been admitted to a critical care unit (ICU) can receive one additional assistance payment in accordance with existing policies.

Ineligible Hospital Stays

  • No day surgeries;
  • No out-patient surgeries
  • No pregnancies.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant must be:

  • Enrolled member of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians;
  • An immediate relative of the individual hospitalized: Spouse, Mother, Father, Child, Sister, Brother, Grandmother, Grandfather, Great-Grandmother, Great-Grandfather, Grandchild, Stepparent, Stepchild, Aunt, Uncle, Wife, Husband, or Foster Child; and
  • 18 years or older.

Applications, Policies and Procedures

Applications and completed Puyallup Tribe of Indians Medical Emergency Travel Assistance Policies and Procedures Manual can be obtained at the above address.