Cultural responsiveness
Physicians are acutely aware of their patient population's diversity and recognize the challenge of providing appropriate care based on the individual patient's cultural, linguistic, educational, and socioeconomic needs. Providers must use their best judgment to try to meet the needs of their patients on an individual basis and must take steps to communicate effectively with patients.
We continue to assist in the delivery of effective health services to these diverse populations. When your practice has any questions pertaining to the provision of services to Enrollees with limited English proficiency, low literacy proficiency, and/or sensory impairments, we are available to assist you.
Some important definitions as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services:
- Cultural responsiveness
The ability of an individual to understand the social, linguistic, moral, intellectual, and behavioral characteristics of a community or population and translate this understanding systematically to enhance the effectiveness of health care delivery to diverse populations - Limited English proficiency (LEP)
A designation referring to an Enrollee who primarily communicates in a language other than English and has a limited ability to communicate in English - Low literacy proficiency
In Public Law 102-73, the National Literacy Act of 1991, Congress defined literacy as "an individual's ability to read, write, and speak English, and compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job and in society, to achieve one's goals, and develop one's knowledge and potential." Those lacking these levels of proficiency would be considered to have low literacy proficiency. - Sensory impaired
A person who is deaf or visually impaired
If you have questions pertaining to the provision of services to Enrollees with limited English proficiency, low literacy proficiency, and/or sensory impairments, please contact our Enrollee Services department at 1-855-329-0067.
Get language services for your practice at discounted prices
Providers can contract directly with Language Services Associates (LSA) for a variety of language services at the same corporate rate our Plan receives. Call 1-866-221-1301.