---
kind: "section"
citation: "25 U.S.C. § 1621s"
title: "25"
title_heading: "Indians"
number: "1621s"
heading: "Prompt action on payment of claims"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/25/1621s"
units:
  - "Chapter 18 — Indian Health Care"
  - "Subchapter II — Health Services"
---

# §1621s. Prompt action on payment of claims

- (a) **Time of response—** The [Service](/usc/25/1603.md?p=18) shall respond to a notification of a claim by a provider of a contract care [service](/usc/25/1603.md?p=18) with either an individual purchase order or a denial of the claim within 5 working days after the receipt of such notification.
- (b) **Failure to timely respond—** If the [Service](/usc/25/1603.md?p=18) fails to respond to a notification of a claim in accordance with [subsection (a)](#a), the [Service](/usc/25/1603.md?p=18) shall accept as valid the claim submitted by the provider of a contract care [service](/usc/25/1603.md?p=18).
- (c) **Time of payment—** The [Service](/usc/25/1603.md?p=18) shall pay a completed contract care [service](/usc/25/1603.md?p=18) claim within 30 days after completion of the claim.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 94–437, title II, § 220, as added Pub. L. 102–573, title II, § 215, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4558.)