Common use of Linguistic Access Clause in Contracts

Linguistic Access. a. The MCO shall take appropriate measures to ensure adequate access to services by Members with limited English proficiency. These measures shall include, but not be limited to the promulgation and implementation of policies on linguistic accessibility for MCO staff, network providers and subcontractors; the identification of a single individual at the MCO for ensuring compliance with linguistic accessibility policies; identification of persons with limited English proficiency as soon as possible following enrollment; provisions for translation services; and the provision of a Member handbook, notices of action and grievance/administrative hearing information in languages other than English. The MCO shall notify its members that oral interpretation is available for any language. b. Member educational materials must also be available in languages other than English and Spanish when more than five (5) percent of the MCO's Members in any county served by the MCO speaks the alternative language, provided, however, this requirement shall not apply if the alternative language has no written form. The MCO may rely upon initial enrollment and monthly enrollment data from the DEPARTMENT's Eligibility Management System (EMS) to determine the percentage of Members who speak alternative languages. The MCO shall inform members that written materials are available in these alternative languages. c. The MCO shall also take appropriate measures to ensure access to services by persons with visual and hearing disabilities. This shall include the provision of information in alternative formats and in an appropriate manner that takes into August 13 2003 consideration the special needs of Members with disabilities. Information concerning Members with visual impairments and hearing disabilities will be made available through the daily and monthly EMS enrollment data.

Linguistic Access. a. The MCO shall take appropriate measures to ensure adequate access to services by Members with limited English proficiency. These measures shall include, but not be limited to the promulgation and implementation of policies on linguistic accessibility for MCO staff, network providers and subcontractors; the identification of a single individual at the MCO for ensuring compliance with linguistic accessibility policies; identification of persons with limited English proficiency as soon as possible following enrollment; provisions for translation services; and the provision of a Member handbook, notices of action and grievance/administrative hearing information in languages other than English. The MCO shall notify its members that oral interpretation is available for any language. b. Member educational materials must also be available in languages other than English and Spanish when more than five (5) percent of the MCO's Members in any county served by the MCO speaks the alternative language, provided, however, this requirement shall not apply if the alternative language has no written form. The MCO may rely upon initial enrollment and monthly enrollment data from the DEPARTMENT's Eligibility Management System (EMS) to determine the percentage of Members who speak alternative languages. The MCO shall inform members that written All Member educational materials are must be made available in these alternative languagesalternate formats to the visually impaired. c. The MCO shall also take appropriate measures to ensure access to services by persons with visual and hearing disabilities. This shall include the provision of information in alternative formats and in an appropriate manner that takes into August 13 2003 consideration the special needs of Members with disabilities. Information concerning Members with visual impairments and hearing disabilities will be made available through the daily and monthly EMS enrollment data.

Linguistic Access. a. The MCO shall take appropriate measures to ensure adequate access to services by Members with limited English proficiency. These measures shall include, but not be limited to the promulgation and implementation of policies on linguistic accessibility for MCO staff, network providers and subcontractors; the identification of a single individual at the MCO for ensuring compliance with linguistic accessibility policies; identification of persons with limited English proficiency as soon as possible following enrollment; provisions for translation services; and the provision of a Member handbook, notices of action and grievance/administrative hearing information in languages other than English. The MCO shall notify its members that oral interpretation is available for any language. b. Member educational materials must also be available in languages other than English and Spanish when more than five (5) percent of the MCO's Members in any county served by the MCO speaks the alternative language, provided, however, this requirement shall not apply if the alternative language has no written form. The MCO may rely upon initial enrollment and monthly enrollment data from the DEPARTMENT's 'S Eligibility Management System (EMS) to determine the percentage of Members who speak alternative languages. The MCO shall inform members that written materials are available in these alternative languages. c. The MCO shall also take appropriate measures to ensure access to services by persons with visual and hearing disabilities. This shall include the provision of information in alternative formats and in an appropriate manner that takes into August 13 2003 consideration the special needs of Members with disabilities. Information concerning Members with visual impairments and hearing disabilities will be made available through the daily and monthly EMS enrollment data. Sanction: For each documented instance of failure to provide appropriate linguistic accessibility to Members, the DEPARTMENT may impose a strike towards a Class A sanction pursuant to Section 7.05.