Limited English Proficiency (LEP)

Our mission at the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is to ensure that people have equal access and opportunity to participate in HHS-funded programs. We focus on reducing barriers for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). We also help covered entities understand and comply with their language assistance obligations.

On this page:

Your Right to Language Assistance Services

If English is not your primary language and you have difficulty communicating in English, you may need an interpreter or document translation when accessing programs funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  Examples of these services are when you:

  • Pick up a prescription at the pharmacy
  • Visit a family member in a nursing home
  • Go to the emergency room
  • Apply for a health insurance plan
  • Visit a doctor or dentist

These types of services likely receive federal financial assistance from HHS or are covered by civil rights authorities enforced by OCR. There are two federal laws that require these programs to provide language access services (LAS) free of charge:

Medicaid Unwinding

As the Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 and the continuous Medicaid coverage came to an end, OCR issued a letter reminding states of their obligations under federal civil rights laws to ensure that individuals and families continue to have access to effective communication in Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage as states return to normal processes to redetermine enrollees’ eligibility.

LEP Resources

Language Access Provisions of the Final Rule Implementing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act

Know Your Rights: Language Access in Health and Human Services

Download the Fact Sheet in:

LEP Trainings and Guidance for Recipients of Federal Financial Assistance

Federal Government LEP Information

Historical HHS Language Access Plans and Blogs

Content created by Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
Content last reviewed