California Language-Assistance Rules Now Apply to PPOs, Others
PPOs and other health plans in California now must provide language-assistance services and translated materials to members at no cost after additional provisions of a state law took effect on April 1, the Washington Times reports.
HMOs have had to provide interpreters and translated materials since January 1, but provisions pertaining to PPOs and other health plans took effect four months later.
According to the California Department of Managed Health Care, as many as one-third of California's HMO and PPO members could qualify for language-assistance services under the law (Lengell, Washington Times, 4/7).
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