One of the most common “gotcha’s” when CMS shows up is to be missing a mandatory sign in some obscure location, and the deadline for a new mandatory sign is coming up on the 16th.
CMS has posted resources to help you comply with the right wording and languages.
A sample of the required sign template is available at Sample Notice English PDF. The notice must be posted or published on your website, and include it in significant communications targeted to potential beneficiaries of services and the public. Smaller publications must include a basic notice SMALL NOTICE SAMPLE PDF
Taglines are required in each of the top 2 foreign languages in your state. A list of those language rankings by state is available at TOP LANGUAGES LIST PDF. Approved tagline samples are available at TAG LINE TRANSLATIONS
These notifications are in addition to all of the other mandatory signs for federal, state and local requirements.
Be aware that hospitals and medical offices are seeing an increase in civil rights type claims for disabilities and other language based discrimination, including services for the deaf. Review your insurance coverage with your agent, as many policies exclude civil rights claims from coverage.
Great. Let’s burden our docs with more paperwork.
What can I say? It seems to be the entire direction of the federal bureaucracy for decades.
I am having difficulty getting the links to open. Is there a website I can go to in order to access this information? Thanks!
http://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/sample-ce-statement-english.pdf
https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/resources-for-covered-entities-top-15-languages-list.pdf
http://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/section-1557/translated-resources/