Update on Section 1557 of ACA

This past June the AAA notified our members of the new Non-Discrimination Rules under Section 1557 of the ACA. Under the new rules, covered entities are required to provide auxiliary aides and services for individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and communications related disabilities. For a full description of all of the Section 1557 requirements, see the AAA Member Advisories.

While there is usually a period of time before enforcement actions occur with new Regulations, the Office of Civil Rights published a press release announcing a Voluntary Resolution Agreement between the OCR, the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Connecticut (DOJ), and a healthcare system who is subject to the Section 1557 Rules. The Agreement, which resolved a complaint and subsequent investigation involving a hearing impaired patient who requested auxiliary aides due to a hearing impairment upon arriving at the hospital for care. The patient never received any communication aides during the course of the stay. This should serve as a notice to all ambulance providers that they must comply with all of the requirements of the Section 1557 Rules. For assistance or guidance on the requirements of Section 1557 and how ambulance services can be comply, be sure to read the AAA Member Advisories or seek assistance through the members area or by calling the AAA.

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