Language Assistance Program (LAP) It is the policy of Valley Health Plan (VHP) to continue to enhance and implement strategic plans that improve access and eliminate disparities in the quality of care for individuals with limited English proficiency or non-English speaking in Santa Clara County and to comply with SB853, Language Assistance Program (LAP) Regulations. As a County Health Plan, VHP is committed to identify these disparities and focus on reducing or eliminating them. Section 15:
The CA Language Assistance Program Law Effective January 1, 2009 CA law (SB 853) and its accompanying regulations require that Health Plans establish and support a Language Assistance Program (LAP) for enrollees that are Limited English Proficient (LEP). Who is eligible? Enrollees under the jurisdiction of the Department Managed Health Care (DMHC) and/or
SECTION 15: LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LAP)
California Department of Insurance (CDI) are eligible for the Language Assistance Program. LAP STANDARDS The key areas identified in the standards are: • • • • • • • •
Collecting race, ethnicity, and language data Providing language services such as translation of written documents and oral interpretation Understanding of cultural differences relevant to the health care system Accountability and quality improvement Ensuring competency of translators in both English and target languages Competent in translating for health care terminology Interpreter ethics, conduct, confidentiality Reducing health care disparities
VHP LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OVERVIEW The LAP Policy and Procedure contains the following elements: • • • •
All “points of contact” where the need for language assistance may be reasonably anticipated. The types of resources needed to provide effective language assistance to the Plan’s enrollees. Processes to ensure that LEP enrollees receive information regarding their rights to file a grievance and seek an independent medical review in threshold languages and through oral interpretation. Grievance forms and procedures in threshold languages are made readily available to enrollees and to contracting providers for distribution to enrollees upon request.
Processes for informing enrollees of the availability of language assistance services at no charge to them, and how to access language assistance services; these processes are those that: • • •
Promote effective identification of LEP enrollees language assistance needs at points of contact to ensure they are informed that interpretation services are available at no cost; Facilitate individual enrollee access to interpretation services at points of contact; Provide for the inclusion of the notice required with all “vital documents,” all enrollment materials and all correspondence, if any, from the Plan confirming a new or renewed enrollment. However, if documents are distributed in an LEP enrollee’s preferred written language the notice need not be included;
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