Organization and Functions

Office of The Area Director

(1) Plans, develops and directs the Area Program within the framework of IHS policy in pursuit of IHS mission; (2) delivers and ensures the delivery of high quality comprehensive health services; (3) coordinates the Indian Health Service activities and resources internally and externally with those of other governmental and nongovernmental programs; (4) promotes optimum utilization of health care services through management and delivery of services to American Indians and Alaska Natives; (5) encourages the full application of the principles of Indian preference and EEO; and (6) provides Indian tribes and other Indian community groups with optional ways of participating in the Indian Health programs including an opportunity to participate in developing the goals and objectives for the Billings Area Indian Health Service.

Office of Administrative Support

(1) Plans, coordinates, implements, and evaluates administrative management support activities; (2) advises the Area Director on all matters relating to Area management and administrative support activities; (3) provides guidance to the Area on program policy interpretation in budget formulation and execution, preparation of program planning and budgeting data, and financial management of grants and contracts; (4) participates in the allocation of the Area's human and manpower resources and funding resources; (5) interprets policy and provides direction in the conduct of the Area's management; (6) maintains necessary liaison with various components of the Indian Health Service and Public Health Service and other activities in the furtherance of the Area's management activities; (7) plans, coordinates, implements, and evaluates the Area Directives Control program; (8) coordinates the implementation of the Area internal control procedures for administrative functions; (9) plans, coordinates, implements, and evaluates the Area third party billing and collection program (Medicare/Medicaid, private insurance), and medical records; and (10) plans, organizes, and conducts medical and administrative data analyses concerning medical costs and standards of care.

Office of Tribal Programs

(1) Participates in the development and advancement of tribal and Indian organizations' capability to manage health programs; (2) coordinates the Billings Area Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (Pub. L. 93-638) activities and provides technical assistance to tribes, tribal leaders, and tribal health organizations in the planning and development of tribal management of Indian Health Service (IHS) functions; (3) serves as liaison on matters relating to tribal health programs; and (4) administers the urban health and community health representative programs, the tribal health/management programs, and auditing services.

Office of Information Management

(1) Plans, coordinates, implements, and evaluates a health planning system and facility construction design as well as determines unmet health needs; (2) advises on planning and evaluation activities, collection and use of health statistical data, and automated data processing (ADP) activities; and (3) serves as liaison for the coordination of health planning in conjunction with other agencies.

Office of Health Care Programs

(1) Plans, coordinates, implements, directs, and evaluates the Area health care programs; (2) advises the Area Director on all matters related to health care program operations; (3) monitors and reviews health care operations including the coordination of reviews by Medicare/Medicaid and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations survey teams and other health professional review teams; and (4) identifies required program resources and/or realigns existing resources.

Office of Environmental Health And Engineering

(1) Plans, coordinates, implements, directs, and evaluates an environmental health and engineering program; (2) advises the Area Director on environmental health matters; (3) coordinates activities designed to effect environmental improvement in the Indian home, community, work, and institutional environments; (4) provides advisory and consulting services regarding sanitation practices, hazardous conditions, and those physical, social, and behavioral factors which affect the environment; (5) provides direction on constructing, maintaining, and improving the Indian Health Service health facilities; and (6) develops projects for institutional sanitation, community injury control and emergency preparedness.