Patients need clear communication to get safe care. CLAS gives you a framework. Federal law makes parts of it mandatory. This guide explains both—and what to do next.
What Is CLAS?
CLAS (Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services) is a set of 15 standards from HHS’s (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) Office of Minority Health. The standards help health systems provide care that is effective, accessible, understandable, and respectful. They’re grouped under four themes:
- Principal Standard (the core expectation for equitable, understandable care)
- Governance, Leadership, and Workforce
- Communication and Language Assistance
- Engagement, Continuous Improvement, and Accountability
CLAS itself is guidance. It’s widely used because it maps well to legal requirements you already have.
What’s Legally Required
Two federal civil-rights laws require language access at no cost to patients when you receive federal financial assistance (yes—Medicare/Medicaid count):
- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (national origin discrimination)
- Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (health program nondiscrimination)
Section 1557—2024 Final Rule highlights
- You must take reasonable steps to give meaningful access to each person with limited English proficiency (LEP).
- Language assistance must be free, accurate, timely, and private.
- Use qualified interpreters and qualified translators, who are meeting language proficiency and ethical standards.
- Provide a Notice of Nondiscrimination and a Notice of Availability of free language assistance and auxiliary aids.
- The notice of availability must be in English + the 15 most common languages in your state(s) and posted in specific places and formats (including 20-point font for physical postings).
- The current rule does not require taglines (unlike 2016).
- Rule effective July 5, 2024; language-access provisions must be fully in place by July 5, 2025. HHS.gov
How CLAS Helps You Meet the Law
CLAS turns legal duties into daily practice. Its Communication and Language Assistance standards align with 1557’s requirements to provide qualified services, consistent terminology, and ongoing quality checks. Using CLAS as your blueprint makes policy, training, and monitoring simpler.
Compliance Checklist (Start Here)
Use this as a one-page action plan for your next quarter:
- Name a 1557 Lead. Assign a coordinator and publish their contact info and grievance process. Post required notices where patients will actually see them.
- Map Your Languages. Use Census/ACS data and your EHR/registration data to identify top languages by site and service line; keep it current.
- Set Clear Rules for “Qualified.” Define qualifications for interpreters and translators (language proficiency, accuracy, impartiality, confidentiality, interpreter training). Apply the same bar to bilingual staff who interpret or translate.
- Cover High-Risk Touchpoints. Admission, consent, procedures, pain/med changes, discharge, billing disputes, and telehealth. Provide timely, private access to a qualified interpreter, which could be done in-person or remotely.
- Translate Vital Information. Translate documents that affect care and rights: consent forms, after-visit summaries, discharge instructions, notices about benefits/eligibility, device instructions, and patient rights.
- Post the Required Notices. Annual distribution + conspicuous posting online and onsite; notice of availability in English + top 15 state languages; use required formatting.
- Protect Privacy. Use modalities (in-person, VRI, telephonic interpreting) that allow confidential conversations; avoid ad-hoc helpers who can break confidentiality or fail to interpret accurately.
- Document Everything. Record language needs, services provided, mode (in-person/phone/video), interpreter ID/qualification, and translated documents used. (Supports audits and quality.)
- Train Your Staff. Front desk, clinical, billing, and leadership: when to call, how to access services, what “qualified” means, and what not to do. Use CLAS to shape training content.
- Monitor and Improve. Track utilization, response times, readmissions related to communication, complaints, and fix gaps. Publish updates internally.
Quick Myths to Retire
- “Family members can interpret if they agree.” → Risky and often non-compliant. Use qualified interpreters.
- “Google Translate is fine for discharge.” → Not for clinical content or consent. Use qualified interpreters and translators; machine translation output needs human review.
Bottom Line
CLAS gives you the “how.” Title VI and Section 1557 set the “must.” Build your policy on CLAS, work with qualified services, post the required notices, and track results. Patients get safer care; your organization stays in compliance.
Contact Bromberg & Associates today to learn how our expert translation and interpreting services can help your organization meet CLAS standards and deliver accessible, high-quality care for every patient.