Table 1.

Language diversity and section 1557 compliance toolkit

Anticipate the language needs of your community.	• Identify the top 15 non-English languages in your state by going to https://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Resources/Regulations-and-Guidance/Downloads/Appendix-A-Top-15.pdf. • Solicit information from health plans and insurers regarding primary languages of beneficiaries. • Ask other health care providers and schools to share data about dominant languages in the community where your practice is located. • Visit https://www.lep.gov/maps/ to get specific information about LEP in your community.
Identify compliance tools.	• Depending on the number of employees, appoint or hire a Section 1557 coordinator. • Customize and post the nondiscrimination notice and non-English taglines in your office and on your website and include them in significant publications. • Contract with an interpreter service. For providers with 15 employees or more: • Appoint or hire a Section 1557 compliance coordinator. • Adopt grievance procedures for incidents of noncompliance.
Increase awareness.	• Train all staff who communicate with patients, prospective patients, and their families to be aware of patient rights and provider responsibilities. • Familiarize employees with posted notices and interpreter resources. • Share your knowledge with colleagues.
Ensure sustainability.	• Collect data on the time and cost associated with compliance. • Ensure payors authorize sufficient hours for each element of treatment that requires an interpreter. • Negotiate rates with payors that contemplate the additional costs (e.g., interpreter, translator, staff training, personnel, materials). • Review payor contracts to identify whether the payor or provider bears the cost of the interpreter.