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Language Access, Accessibility, and Nondiscrimination

Makes sure patients with limited English proficiency and patients with disabilities can understand and take part in their care: free qualified interpreters and translated documents, free auxiliary aids and services, plain language, accessible notices, no use of children or untrained adults as interpreters except in an emergency, and no discrimination on any protected basis.

Preview: full text with a package
About this policy
Policy number
NC-HH-PR-04
Version
1.0
Main rule
42 CFR §484.50(f)
Library
North Carolina home health · 57 policies
Category
Client rights
Sections
20

In short

  • Ask every patient which language he or she prefers and whether he or she needs help to see, hear or understand.
  • Interpreters and aids are free for the patient. The office books them before the visit.
  • Do not use family or friends to interpret unless it is an emergency or the patient asks in private with a qualified interpreter present.
  • Never use a child to interpret, except for a moment in an emergency while you get an interpreter.
  • Write in the visit note who interpreted and how.

What's inside

20 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.

Full text with a package
  • Terms of Reference
  • 1. Purpose
  • 2. Scope
  • 3. Definitions
  • 4. Policy Statement (42 CFR §484.50(f))
  • 5. Identifying Needs
  • 6. Language Assistance
  • 6.1 Interpreters
  • 6.2 Written translations
  • 6.3 NC Medicaid patients
  • 7. Patients With Disabilities
  • 8. Notices
  • 9. Section 1557 Coordinator, Written Procedures and Grievances
  • 10. Responsibilities
  • 11. Records and Compliance Monitoring
  • 12. Staff Training
  • 13. References
  • 14. Related Policies and Forms
  • 15. Approval
  • 16. Revision History

An inspector may ask

  • How do you find out a patient’s preferred language at referral?
  • Show me how you got an interpreter for this Spanish-speaking patient’s admission visit.

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