The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities final ruling that speaks on Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. This ruling prohibits discrimination and applies to all healthcare providers that get Federal financial assistance. November 2, 2024 is an important deadline for all RHCs for the Section 1557 Nondiscrimination Rule.
Section 1557 Coordinator and Grievance Procedure
All entities with 15 or more employees have to have a Section 1557 Coordinator according to the new ruling. This rule also requires entities to have civil rights grievance procedures, allowing patients to address concerns to their providers. This requirement must be in place by November 2, 2024.
The Section 1557 Coordinator will be responsible for:
- review and receive grievances
- coordinate all recordkeeping requirements
- coordinate language access and communication procedures
- coordinate all reasonable disability modifications
- coordinate the training for all relevant employees
Notice of Nondiscrimination
RHCs also have to have a Notice of Nondiscrimination that contains information on how they are compliant with nondiscrimination policies in place by November 2, 2024. This notice has to be available to all patients upon request and given out on an annual basis, as well as being on the organization’s website.
This notice has to include several pieces of information:
- The organization does not discriminate on on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
- The organization has to provide reasonable disability modifications to individuals with disabilities.
- Contact information for the organization’s Section 1557 Coordinator
- Information on how to file a grievance and the grievance procedures
- How to file a discrimination compliant with OCR
- How to access the organization’s website
Contact Blue & Co. about Section 1557 Nondiscrimination Rule Compliance
HHS has created a sample notice document that healthcare organizations can use as a starting point for their organization. If your organization needs assistance ensuring compliance, please reach out to our RHCs expert Amanda Dennison or your local Blue & Co. advisor.
