Bradenton, Fla.-based MCR Health settled with HHS after a woman who is deaf complained she was not given auxiliary aids or an interpreter when attending her husband's postsurgical medical appointment as his companion.
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ACA prevent facilities that receive federal funding from discriminating against qualified individuals based on disability and require facilities to provide effective communication with appropriate auxiliary aids and services, according to a May 10 HHS news release.
As part of the voluntary agreement, MCR Health agreed to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services to patients, companions and members of the public who are deaf or hard of hearing, review and update policies and procedures, and document assessments conducted for auxiliary aids and services in patient records and record a service denial log, and train staff to effectively communicate with someone with a disability.