At one time, having a language access plan was considered progressive and proactive. Now, it is a standard for quality care and service.
For instance, health care entities that receive federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HHS-administered programs, and Health Insurance Marketplaces are now required to comply with federal language access requirements outlined in Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.
Having a written language access plan brings clarity to these requirements. It articulates unambiguously which members of your staff are responsible for meeting them. A written plan also shows auditors that your organization takes language access seriously so you can continue to maximize your federal funding.
A Language Access Plan Should Address These Five Elements.
- Compliance with Federal, State, and Local Laws
Providing language access is the right thing to do, but in many cases, it’s also required by law. Before your organization can assess your language access needs, you need to understand your legal requirements. These laws may include, but are not limited, to:
- Affordable Care Act, Rule 1557 (ACA)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- Executive Order 13166
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Protected Health Information (PHI)
- The Joint Commission
- Every Student Succeeds Act (Formerly No Child Left Behind)
- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI)
The regulations your organization is required to meet should be outlined as part of a needs assessment at the beginning of your language access plan. In addition to discussing regulations, this section should also discuss the current policies and procedures your organization has in place to meet existing needs, as well as how those needs are changing as you serve new populations.
Don't let the number of laws and regulations intimidate you. They are straightforward. To assist you, please click on these links and enter "language access" into the search bar. Or contact us, and we can assist.
- Language Interpretation Access
This section should outline the interpreting services your organization currently offers, when they are used, and the mechanisms in place for providing them. This includes your solutions for on-site interpreting, video remote interpreting, and phone interpreting, as well as:
- Your language services provider for these services
- Availability of services (On demand? By request?)
- Which languages are available
- How interpreters are selected and trained
- How your organization will ensure interpretation accuracy
- How often these processes will be reviewed
- Language Translation Access
Healthcare and government agencies in particular, need to ensure access to high-quality translation and localization of important documents. Federal regulations require healthcare organizations to translate vital documents, such as notices of free language assistance, informed consent documents, intake forms that have clinical consequences, and discharge instructions. Other important documents that may need to be translated include:
- Your website
- Application forms
- Eligibility forms
- Complaint forms
Just as you have detailed your processes and procedures for language interpretation, your language access plan should include similar instructions for translation.
- Notification of Language Access Services
Language services are useful only if the people who need them understand they are available and know how to access them at no cost. Simply putting up a sign in your lobby is not enough.
In its language access plan, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services outlines several steps it took to notify those who need language services, including:
- Designating an office or individual responsible for notifying individuals with limited English proficiency who contact the agency
- Distributing federal resources prohibiting discrimination against limited English proficient (LEP) individuals to its grantees, providers, contractors, and vendors
- Using public service announcements, non-English media, and community and faith-based resources to reach target audiences
- Prominently displaying appropriate language taglines on vital documents, web pages currently available in English only, technical assistance, and outreach material
- Highlighting the availability of consumer-oriented materials in other languages on the department’s website
- Staff Training
To ensure all employees understand the importance of providing language assistance and can do so, your organization should designate an office or a person to be responsible for training. All employees should be aware of your language access policies and procedures. They should know how to access interpretation or translation services when needed. Those who interact directly with customers should also receive additional training on how to work with interpreters and how to communicate effectively and respectfully with LEP individuals.
A language access plan is a vital document that serves as a blueprint so you can communicate effectively with everyone you serve.
Whether you are developing a language access plan for the first time or getting ready to update and implement an existing one, LanguageLine® can help. In addition to offering comprehensive language access services, our team can assess your organization’s needs, work with you to create a plan, and help you implement the solutions that make the most sense for you.
About LanguageLine
LanguageLine has been the world leader in innovative language-access solutions since 1982. The company sets the global standard for phone, video, and onsite interpreting, as well as translation of the written word. LanguageLine is trusted by more than 30,000 clients to enable communication with the limited English proficient, Deaf, and Hard of Hearing communities. LanguageLine provides the industry’s fastest and most dependable access to more than 35,000 professional linguists in 290-plus languages — 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Please do not hesitate to contact us.
