SB 853 Resources
Find valuable resources, such as sample consumer notices, links to the HMO complaint line, and "I speak" cards to help inform people about their new rights to language services.
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"Our changing demographics demand our health care system adapt. This new law - the first in the country - stands as model for our nation as it becomes more diverse."
- Ellen Wu, Executive Director, CPEHN
In 2003, CPEHN sponsored SB 853, the Health Care Language Assistance Act. The first of its kind in the country, this bill holds health plans accountable for the provision of language services – requiring health plans and health insurers to provide their enrollees with interpreter services, translated materials, and to collect data on race, ethnicity, and language to address health inequities.
After nearly a decade, SB 853 went into full effect on January 1, 2009. In our efforts to inform our communities of their new rights, CPEHN has compiled the following list of resources. For more information about CPEHN and our policy work contact Marty Martinez, Policy Director at (510) 832-1160, or mmartinez@cpehn.org.
About SB 853
- A Blueprint for Success: Bringing Language Access to Millions of Californians, documents CPEHN's advocacy efforts on SB 853.
- Summary of Key Provisions of SB 853 and Its Regulations, an excerpt from A Blueprint for Success, provides an overview of the new law and regulations.
- SB 853 News Coverage
- Press Release: Language Assistance Now A Reality for Limited-English Speaking California HMO Members
Los Angeles, Jan. 13, 2009, English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean
San Francisco, Jan. 14, 2009, English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean
Related Resources
- Consumer Alert, created by the Office of the Patient Advocate, outlines patient's new rights in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
- List of Health Plan Phone Numbers, so you can call your health plan to find out how you can get an interpreter for your next appointment.
- "I Speak" Cards, available in 13 languages, was developed by PALS for Health to enable a patient to ask for an interpreter and help health care staff immediately identify the language spoken by the patient. Addition "I Speak" Cards can be found on California Communities United Institute's website.
- HMO Help Center: 1-888-466-2219, call if you need help working with your health plan to get the services you need.
- Sample Notice of Language Assistance, created by DMHC, outlines patients' new rights to language services in 12 languages.
- DMHC's Language Assistance Webpage, compiles information on SB 853, frequently asked questions, and sample health plan notices.
- Office of the Patient Advocate's website has information to help you navigate the health care system including their guide on How to Use Your Health Plan.
| Summary of SB 853 and its regulations: 1. Health plans must conduct a needs assessment to calculate threshold languages and collect race, ethnicity, and language data on their enrollees. 2. Health plans must provide quality, accessible, and timely access to interpreters at all points of contact and at no cost to the enrollee. 3. Health plans must translate vital documents into threshold languages. 4. Health plans must ensure interpreters are trained and competent, and that translated materials are of high quality. 5. Health plans must notify their enrollees of the availability of no cost interpreter and translation services. 6. Health plans must train staff on language access policies and procedures, as well as how to work with interpreters and limited English patients. |