HHS and DOJ Issue Guidance on Nondiscrimination in Telehealth

HHS and DOJ Issue Guidance on Nondiscrimination in Telehealth - Healthcare Law Alert - July/August 2022 - John D. Fanburg, Jonathan J. Walzman, Cynthia J. Liba - Brach Eichler
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On July 29, 2022, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, and the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division published joint guidance on protections in federal nondiscrimination laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, requiring that telehealth be accessible to people with disabilities and Limited English Proficient (LEP) persons. The guidance aims to help health care providers better understand their nondiscrimination obligations and helps patients better understand their rights to nondiscrimination in the receipt of health care services under federal law.

The agencies warn that a health care provider’s failure to take appropriate action to ensure that care provided through telehealth is accessible can result in unlawful discrimination. The agencies also provide examples of actions that may be discriminatory and describe steps that providers may need to take to ensure that health care offered via telehealth is accessible, including that:

• Health care providers must make reasonable changes to their policies and procedures which may include providing additional support to patients when needed before, during, and after a virtual visit.
• Providers must communicate effectively with people who have communication disabilities (including disabilities affecting speech and motor function) when providing care in person or through telehealth. Health care providers must provide communication aids and services when needed, at no cost to the patient.
• Recipients of federal financial assistance must take reasonable steps to ensure meaningful telehealth access for LEP persons, at no cost to the patient.

Click here to read the entire July/August Healthcare Law Update now

For more information, contact:
John D. Fanburg, Chair | 973.403.3107 | jfanburg@bracheichler.com
Jonathan J. Walzman | 973.403.3120 | jwalzman@bracheichler.com
Cynthia J. Liba | 973.403.3106 | cliba@bracheichler.com

*This is intended to provide general information, not legal advice. Please contact the authors if you need specific advice.

Related Practices:   Healthcare Law