Home Legal Advisor: Patients with Limited English Proficiency

Legal Advisor: Patients with Limited English Proficiency

The following case study and article provides a brief summary of anti-discrimination law as it applies to patients with limited English proficiency and the physicians who care for them. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 provides that no person shall be discriminated against on the ground of race, color, or national origin, and thus prohibits discrimination based on English proficiency. Physicians should take steps to ensure compliance with this Act, as violations may result in actions by the United States Justice Department, and potential termination of reimbursement from federal programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

The Legal Advisor publication is issued quarterly by the Massachusetts Medical Society and Adler, Cohen, Harvey, Wakeman & Guekguezian, LLP, as an information source. Nothing herein should be construed as legal advice or legal opinions regarding specific situations. Legal counsel should be consulted for application of law and regulations in each individual case before any action is taken or any decision is made.

Legal Advisor: Patients with Limited English Proficiency is sponsored by the Massachusetts Medical Society.

For more information on the Massachusetts Medical Society go to www.massmed.org.

For more information on Adler, Cohen, Harvey, Wakeman & Guekguezian, LLP  go to http://www.adlercohen.com

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