About Us

Hours

8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri.
10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Wednesdays
Medical Lab closes at 4:30 pm M-F

Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Mission

It is the mission of The Puyallup Tribal Health Authority (PTHA) to provide quality health care and promote wellness in a culturally appropriate manner.

Values

In acknowledging the rich diversity of culture that our patients and co-workers share, the PTHA and its employees uphold and seek to emulate the following organizational values:

  • Respect: Treating each patient and co-worker with honor, compassion and courtesy.
  • Honesty: Dealing with patients and co-workers in a sincere, trusting and fair manner.
  • Quality: Striving for the highest level of excellence in our caring service and professionalism.
  • Team Work: Working and communicating with each other in an understanding, supportive and flexible way.

Organizational Structure

PTHA was the first ambulatory health clinic in 1976 to enter into a 638 “self-determination” contract with the Indian Health Service. Chartered by the Puyallup Tribe, PTHA has demonstrated commitment to quality through national accreditation by AAAHC and COLA.

Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, or AAAHC, is a voluntary process through which an organization is able to measure the quality of its services and performance against nationally recognized standards. The AAAHC accreditation certificate is a symbol that an organization is committed to providing high-quality health care that it has demonstrated that commitment by measuring up to the Accreditation Association’s high standards.

The Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation, or COLA, is given only to labs that apply rigid standards of quality in day-to-day operations, demonstrate continued accuracy in the performance of proficiency testing, and pass a rigorous on-site laboratory survey.

Patient Eligibility

Puyallup Tribal Health Authority’s active patient population is approximately 12,000 American Indians/Alaska Native (AI/AN) individuals, representing more than 200 tribes. PTHA direct services are provided without charge to all eligible AI/ANs residing in Pierce County.

Who is eligible for services at the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority?

The following individuals are eligible for services:

  1. AI/ANs from a federally recognized tribe living in Pierce County.
    To prove AI/AN blood, one of the following must be provided: tribal enrollment card or other proof of tribal enrollment, letter of descendancy, or certificate of Indian Blood (CIB or CDIB). If you do not already have one of these documents, you should begin by contacting your tribe. Pierce County residence must be proven at registration and at least annually thereafter. Depending on your eligibility status, acceptable proof of residence may include: mail or utility bills within 30 days of registration or update, rental agreements, car registration, current & valid state identification, etc. Call Patient Access or any front desk for a detailed list of acceptable proof.
  2. AI/AN children 18 years old and under of someone who falls into Category 1. By 19 years of age, AI/AN children lose eligibility unless they can provide acceptable proof that they fall into Category 1.
  3. Non-native women pregnant with AI/AN child until 6-weeks post-partum are eligible for Medical, Pharmacy, and Community Health Services. The father must fall into Category 1. A notarized paternity statement or marriage certificate must be provided. Both parents must reside in Pierce County and otherwise maintain eligibility for the duration of care.
  4. Non-native dependents of an AI/AN who falls into Category 1.
    By 19 years of age, AI/AN children lose their eligibility.

What do I need to bring for each individual I want to register for services?

To register for services at the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority, each person registering must bring:

  1. Photo Identification
  2. Tribal Enrollment, Certificate of Indian Blood, or Letter of Descendancy from Tribe
  3. Acceptable Address Verification for Pierce County
  4. Birth Certificate (or Hospital Announcement) for Newborns
  5. Social Security Card
  6. Marriage/Divorce Papers to Reflect Name Changes from Birth Certificate
  7. Current Insurance Information, if any (Medicaid, Medicare, or Private Insurance)

Now that I am registered, what's next?

After establishing a record with Puyallup Tribal Health Authority, all patients are encouraged to phone ahead to schedule appointments (253) 593-0232. Due to capacity, some services may be limited. Please call for details.

Patients of PTHA must:

  1. Bring Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance cards (if any) and photo identification to every appointment.
  2. Update annually or as often as there is a change to your circumstances.
  3. Inform front desk of changes in health coverage as soon as possible.
  4. Comply with PTHA’s policy on Patient Rights & Responsibilities.

Forms

If you are a patient and need to authorize the release of specific medical record information, please complete the form below and return to PTHA.

PTHA Release of Information