MedicaidAdministrativeMedium impact
24-730 Meet Members' Language Needs with the Language Assistance Program
Health Net·CA·Prior Authorization
We identified it
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
Health Net's Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley has implemented a Language Assistance Program (LAP) requiring hospitals to provide interpreter services for members with limited English proficiency, hearing impairments, or diverse cultural backgrounds. Hospitals cannot require members to bring their own interpreters and must contact the member's ID card number if interpreter support is unavailable.
Action Required
Immediately: Front desk and clinical staff must stop requiring members to bring their own interpreters. Contact the number on member's ID card when interpreter services are needed. Document in medical records any emergency use of attending adults as interpreters. Staff should enroll in cultural competency training through Office of Minority Health or access Health Net's training materials.