Technical Assistance for Medicare Providers and Applicants

OCR's technical assistance materials to help providers and applicants develop their policies and procedures for compliance with the civil rights laws and regulations enforced by OCR.  The materials provide applicable regulatory citations and sample policies and procedures for each requirement. 

Medicare providers and businesses applying for Medicare must have: 

1. To obtain a civil rights clearance, go to the Assurance of Compliance Portal and submit the required information.

2. Nondiscrimination Policies and Notices that prohibit discrimination in the provision of treatment and services on the bases of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.  These notices must cite the Federal regulations enforced by OCR. . 

   • Learn more about the regulatory requirements

   • See Examples of a Nondiscrimination Policy

3. Policies and procedures to identify and communicate orally and in writing with persons who have limited-English proficiency (LEP). 

   • Learn more about the regulatory requirements

   • See Example LEP Policy

   • See Example Bilingual Individuals & LEP Contractors Notification List

4. Policies and procedures to ensure effective communication and auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities.

   • Learn more about the regulatory requirement

   • See Example Auxiliary Aids Policy

   • See Example Sign Language Interpreters Notification List

5. A description of how Medicare providers and applicants make their program accessible to persons with disabilities.

   • Learn more about the regulatory requirements

   • See Example Program Accessibility Policy

6. An explanation for any age restrictions that exist in the Medicare provider or applicant's program. Learn more about the regulatory requirements

7. A Grievance Procedure which incorporates minimum due process standards for patients with a disability.

   • Learn more about the regulatory requirements

   • See Example Grievance Procedures