What is Cultural Competency?
Cultural Competency, as defined by the Office of Civil Rights
(OCR), is the ability of individuals to understand the social,
linguistic, moral, intellectual, and behavioral characteristics
of a community or population, and translate this understanding
systematically to enhance the effectiveness of healthcare delivery
to diverse populations.
Further, Section 601 of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of
1964 states that: No person in the United States shall, on the
grounds of race, color or national origin, be excluded from
participation in, be denied of, or be subjected to discrimination
under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
The
prohibition of discrimination against persons based upon "national
origin" requires recipients of federal financial assistance
to perform certain functions so that persons who cannot speak
english have access to various benefits and services for which
they are eligible. These persons who cannot speak english are
commonly referred to as "Limited English Proficiency (LEP)..
Recipients of federal financial assistance would include the
Commonwealth of Kentucky Cabinet for Families and Children and
by extension, Medicaid Managed Care Organizations, i.e., Passport
Health Plan and their participating providers.
Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states
that public accommodations must comply with basic non-discrimination
requirements that prohibit exclusion, segregation, and unequal
treatment of any person with a disability. Public accommodations
(such as healthcare providers) must specifically comply with,
among other things, requirements related to effective communication
with people with hearing, vision, or speech disabilities, and
other access requirements.
Communication, whether in written, verbal, or "other sensory"
modalities is the first step in assuring that access to eligible
benefits and services. One of the keys to ensuring equal access
to benefits and services to Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
and sensory impaired members is to ensure that Passport and
its providers effectively communicate with these members. In
order to be in compliance with federal law and state contractual
requirements, Passport Health Plan and its participating providers
have an obligation to provide interpreter services to LEP members
and to make reasonable efforts to accommodate members with other
sensory impairments.
If you have any questions concerning Title VI or would like
to schedule Cultural Diversity Training please contact Loretta
Estes, Community Affairs Coordinator/Certified Cultural
Diversity Trainer at (502)585-7932.
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