Member Handbook - Los Angeles County Department of Health ...

Medi-Cal Member Handbook / Benefit Year 2006-2007Help in Another Language andfor the Disabled:How can I get help?Information in other languagesYou have the right to receive all member materialsin any of the following languages: Spanish,Armenian, Chinese, Farsi, Khmer, Korean,Tagalog, Russian, Vietnamese, and English.Interpreters for members who don’tspeak English or are hearing or speechimpaired.We know doctors and other providers mustunderstand you so that you can get the health careservices you need. Laws like the Civil Rights Actof 1964 and the ADA Laws protect you if you donot speak English or have a disability and needhelp in communicating with your doctor.Your doctor’s office, clinic or hospital cannotdeny services because you do not speak Englishor have a disability. You have the right to freeinterpreter services when getting health careservice or other services that are paid for by yourhealth plan, including after hours interpreterservices. An “interpreter” is a person who helpsyou understand what is being said by the personwho is giving you care. An interpreter also tellsthe other person what you said, but in the languagethat person understands. This allowspeople who speak different languages to talk witheach other and to understand. This is also moreprivate because you are not telling your child,family member or friend to interpret for you.If you need interpreter servicesInterpreter services in your language are free, 24hours a day, seven days a week.You should not use children or family membersas interpreters. Call Community Health Plan,your doctor or L.A. Care if you need interpreterservices. We will work with you and your PCPdoctor to make sure that you can have servicesthat you understand.California Relay Service. The California RelayService (CRS) helps a person using a TTY tocommunicate by phone with a person who doesnot use a TTY. This service also works anotherway. CRS helps a non-TTY user call a TTY user.Trained operators take phone calls and helphearing people and non-hearing people communicate.Statewide access for voice or TTY/TDD is 1-888-877-5379 voice (SPRINT) or 1-800-735-2922voice (MCI). Members and providers can alsodial 711 on their phones to directly call theCalifornia Relay Service.Protection for the disabledThe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of1990 is a law that protects people with disabilitiesfrom not being treated fairly. A disability is aphysical or mental condition that totally orseriously limits a person’s ability in at least onemajor life activity. This law protects people who:• Have hearing loss who may be deaf, hard ofhearing or hearing impaired• Are seniors (65 years of age or older) andpeople with disabilities such as blindnessThe ADA law makes sure there are equal chancesfor people with disabilities in employment, stateand local government services.27Community Health Plan Member Services Department toll-free 1-800-475-5550L.A. Care Health Plan Member Services Department toll-free 1-888-4LA-Care or 1-888-452-2273