The Medicaid Health Plan That Cares
URAC Accredited Case Management NCQA Excellent Accreditation
Providers | Home > Providers > Provider Communications > Cultural Competency > Cultural Competency Corner
Secure Services
Provider Communications
Searchable Provider Directory
Pharmacy Services
EDI Questions & Answers
Member Rights & Responsibilities
Web Site Evaluation Form
 

Cultural Competency Corner - Spring 2001

Providing Interpreter Services for Members with Limited English Proficiency

Keystone Mercy Health Plan and its participating practitioners continually strive to meet the needs of our culturally diverse membership.

On a quarterly basis, Keystone Mercy Health Plan offers its participating providers an article on the provisions regarding Cultural Competency. This quarter's topic addresses the use of friends and/or family members providing interpreter services for our members with Limited English Proficiency (LEP).

Keystone Mercy Health Plan, including participating providers, could be held liable under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 if they require, suggest, or encourage members with LEP to use friends, minor children, and/or family members as interpreters. Doing so could result in any or all of the following situations:

  • A breach in confidentiality, or reluctance on the part of the member to reveal personal information
  • The member could be placed in a serious or even life threatening situation
  • The person called upon to assist may not be competent to act as an interpreter and may lack familiarity with specialized medical terminology

A family member or friend may be used as an interpreter if:

  • Requested by the LEP member; and
  • The use of such a person(s) would not compromise the effectiveness of services or violate member confidentiality; and
  • The member has been previously advised that an interpreter is available to them through the facility at no cost

Keystone Mercy Health Plan encourages all of our participating providers to do their part in striving to meet the needs of our culturally diverse membership. Any practitioner with a question regarding the provision of services to members with Limited English Proficiency may contact our Member Services Department at 1-800-521-6860.

© 2008 Keystone Mercy Health Plan. All rights reserved. Home | News Room | Employees | Site Map | Contact Us | Email-to-Friend | Print
Legal Statement and Terms of Use Notice of Privacy Practices for Members