Minimizing the language barrier Federal law governs the responsibility of physicians who receive federal funds in treating limited-English patients. Guid- ance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights says, essentially, physicians who receive federal funds must take rea- sonable steps to ensure limited-English patients have a meaningful opportunity to participate in programs and services they otherwise would be entitled to. Compliance could be anything from us- ing a language line that can translate several languages to hiring a full-time translator and making available all vi- tal documents in languages other than English.
HHS has issued revised limit-
ed-English guidance,
http://1.usa .gov/1bmglHG, which gives examples of likely limited-English patient popula- tions. One example is patients seeking Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and other social services. “Accommodation of Limited English
Proficiency (LEP) Persons,” a white pa- per prepared by the TMA Office of the General Counsel, has more information and is available from the TMA Knowl- edge Center. To request the white paper, contact the Knowledge Center by tele- phone, (800) 880-7955, or by email,
knowledge@texmed.org. Physicians who fail to minimize the
impact of a language barrier could be in violation of the Civil Rights Act. To access additional LEP resources, visit
http://1.usa.gov/18kz55Q.
Run Fast and Steady with TransFirst Get 5K in free
® payment processing!*
Running a practice today is a marathon, not a sprint, and that means you need a strong team behind you to help you stay on track.
For a limited time, sign up for payment processing with TransFirst and we’ll pay for your first $5,000 in processing volume.*
Plus,
we’ll donate $10 to The One Fund to benefit survivors of the Boston Marathon bombings.
With 40 national and state health association endorsements and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, TransFirst can provide payment processing solutions to help you:
• Save money on processing fees
• Eliminate costs for out-of-date terminals
• Streamline payment acceptance and reconciliation
• Expand patient or responsible-party payment options
• Achieve PCI compliance
Get a head start on payment processing savings — call 800.613.0148 today!
www.TransFirstAssociation.com/tma
TF2123_TMA1113AD
*Ninety (90) days after merchant approval, TransFirst will credit merchant account 2% (average processing cost). All merchant accounts subject to credit approval. Some restrictions and exclusions apply.
TransFirst, LLC is a registered ISO/MSP of: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Walnut Creek, CA and Synovus Bank, Columbus, GA for Visa and MasterCard transactions only.
TF2123_TMA1113AD_MECH.indd 1
Is your EHR 2014-certified?
All electronic health record (EHR) users must upgrade their systems before at- testing to Stage 1 or Stage 2 of the Medi- care meaningful use program for the 2014 payment year. Regardless of the stage of meaningful use being achieved, physicians must use a Stage 2-certified product in 2014.
November 2013 TEXAS MEDICINE 53 10/2/13 10:22 AM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60