The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) prohibits health care entities from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. The ACA prohibition on discrimination applies to covered entities, which means those healthcare entities that receive federal financial assistance through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). For example, a covered entity includes a physician or pharmacy that accepts Medicare or Medicaid, health insurers that offer a plan on the healthcare exchange, and any entity that offers a Medicare part D plan.

In an effort to enforce the non-discrimination law, HHS issued a new rule in May of 2016 that requires all covered entities to post new non-discrimination notices. Although the rule was finalized in May of 2016, health care entities had until October 16, 2016 to post a new notice of non-discrimination. The new notice must state that the health care entity does not discriminate, that language assistance for the patient is available, and delineate how an individual can file a discrimination complaint with HHS. The new notice is intended to decrease discrimination by helping consumers become more aware of their rights.

For further information or to find example HHS non-discrimination notices, visit the following link:
http://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/section-1557/translated-resources/index.html

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