Access to Care for Patients Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) regulations issued under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) build on longstanding protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Rehabilitation Act regarding nondiscrimination standards for individuals with disabilities. Together, these federal laws require covered entities to take appropriate steps to ensure that communications with individuals with disabilities are as effective as communications with individuals without disabilities in health programs and activities.

Access this MGMA resource outlining Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal requirements for ensuring effective communications with individuals with communications-based disabilities.