Cultural Competency is defined as the ability of individuals, as reflected in personal and organizational responsiveness, to understand the social, linguistic, moral, intellectual, and behavioral characteristics of a community or population, and translate this understanding systematically to enhance the effectiveness of health care delivery to diverse populations.
Each section below outlines provider responsibilities and provides recommendations and resources to ensure our provider network is equipped to ensure cultural competence.
We recognize the diversity of our members and offer services that are sensitive to these differences. Members enrolled in our Plans have the right to receive and expect courteous, quality care regardless of race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual preference, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, physical or mental illness, disability, veteran status, source of payment, visual or hearing limitations, or the ability to speak English. Members also have the right to request any of our printed materials in another language, larger print, on audiotape or in another format.
Providers must also be in compliance with Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Sex discrimination prohibited under Section 1557 includes discrimination based on:
Recommendations |
The medical provider should:
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Health Partners Plans Medicaid and Health Partners Plans CHIP nondiscrimination information can be located on our website. Please visit the bottom of our Health Partners Plans Medicaid Member Welcome webpage.
Nondiscrimination information for Jefferson Health Plans Medicare Advantage and Individual and Family Plans product lines can be found on our website at Non-Discrimination Notice.
Individuals who do not speak English as their primary language and who have limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English are considered LEP.
As part of the credentialing process, providers self-report language spoken by either themselves or office staff, providing a measure of their linguistic ability and a proxy for cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Providers are encouraged to share this information for inclusion in our provider directory, helping members select a provider who meets their cultural, linguistic, and health care needs.
Requirements |
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Written communications must include Notices of Availability in the top 15 non-English languages used among MA beneficiaries in the Commonwealth, which the Department has determined to be:
1. Spanish
2. Chinese: Mandarin
3. Nepali
4. Russian
5. Arabic
6. Haitian Creole
7. Vietnamese
8. Ukrainian
9. Chinese: Cantonese
10. Portuguese
11. Bengali
12. French
13. Cambodian
14. Korean
15. Gujarati
Requirements |
Providing members with verbal and written notice (in their preferred language or format) about their right to receive free language interpreters, upon request.
Methods of meeting the language needs of patients include telephonic interpreters, video conferencing, as well as in-person interpreters.
Resources |
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has translated a sample notice of nondiscrimination and the taglines for use by covered entities into 64 languages. For translated materials, visit https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-providers/index.html.
PA DHS Medical Assistance Bulletin: Updates to Limited English Proficiency Requirements: MAB2025123002
In accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) and Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS), we require practitioners to comply with ADA requirements.
Providers must attest to ADA compliance by completing our ADA Attestation.
If a practitioner’s site does not meet ADA standards, there must be reasonable alternatives to accommodate those with disabilities. These include:
Requirements |
Mandated handicap accessibility includes:
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Visit https://www.cms.gov/files/document/physical-accessibility-booklet.pdf for information on:
For more information regarding Protections for Individuals with Disabilities (ADA), please visit: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/disability/index.html
