MedicaidAdministrativeHigh impact
Providing Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services During the COVID-19 Emergency
Oregon Health Plan·OR·Plan
Effective date
May 11, 2020
We identified it
Aug 19, 2026
Summary
Oregon Health Authority requires all OHP-enrolled providers and CCOs to deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) during COVID-19, including mandatory use of certified interpreters for telemedicine at face-to-face rates. Providers must ensure equitable access, use OHA-approved Healthcare Interpreters (HCIs) and Traditional Health Workers (THWs), and avoid inappropriate telemedicine scenarios for complex or sensitive care.
Action Required
Effective immediately (May 11, 2020): Billing and clinical teams must implement the following: (1) Verify all telemedicine interpretation services are billed at the same rate as face-to-face interpretation per OAR 410-141-3515(12) and 410-141-3860(12) — update billing system fee schedules to equalize telemedicine and in-person HCI/THW rates; (2) Billing team must verify providers are using only OHA-approved HCIs from the OHA HCI Registry and OHA-approved THWs from the OHA THW Registry before processing claims for interpretation services; (3) Ensure all patient encounter documentation includes evidence of cultural responsiveness and assessment for language access needs; (4) Modify telemedicine protocols to identify situations inappropriate for remote delivery (complex diagnoses, sensitive topics, technology difficulties) and route those cases for in-person care with appropriate interpretation; (5) Train all billing staff on CLAS compliance requirements and federal civil rights obligations (Title VI, ADA, Section 1557) to prevent claim denials. Failure to comply may result in claim denials, loss of OHP enrollment, and federal civil rights violations.