OAR 411-045-0070
Access to Care


(1)

PACE programs will develop written policies and procedures for communicating with, and providing care to PACE participants who have difficulty communicating due to a medical condition or who are living in a household where there is no adult available to communicate in English or where there is no telephone. Such policies and procedures will address the provision of qualified interpreter services by phone or in person in the PACE Center, PACE administrative offices, and participant’s residence.

(2)

PACE programs will provide or ensure the provision of qualified interpreter services for covered medical, mental health or dental care visits, including home health visits and after hours emergency calls, to interpret for persons with hearing impairment or in the primary language of non-English speaking PACE participants.

(a)

Interpreters must be linguistically appropriate and be capable of communicating in English and the primary language of the PACE participant and be able to translate clinical information effectively. Interpreter services must be sufficient for the provider to be able to understand the PACE participant’s grievance; to make a diagnosis; respond to a participant’s questions and concerns; and to communicate instructions to the PACE participant; and

(b)

Interpreters must be culturally appropriate, i.e., demonstrating both awareness for and sensitivity to cultural differences and similarities and the effect of those on the medical care of the PACE participant.

(3)

PACE programs must have written policies and procedures that ensure compliance with requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 in providing access to covered services for all PACE participants and must arrange for services to be provided by non-participating referral providers when necessary:

(a)

The policies and procedures must include the assurance of appropriate physical access to obtain covered services for all PACE participants including, but not limited to the following:

(A)

Street level access or accessible ramp into facility;

(B)

Wheelchair access to lavatory;

(C)

Wheelchair access to examination room; and

(D)

Doors with levered hardware or other special adaptations for wheelchair access.

(b)

PACE programs must ensure that providers, their facilities and personnel are prepared to meet the special needs of PACE participants who require accommodations because of a disability. PACE programs must monitor providers for compliance with ADA and take corrective action, when necessary.
Last Updated

Jun. 8, 2021

Rule 411-045-0070’s source at or​.us