California after-hours emergency requirement and language assistance regulation notices

Q3 Word of Mouth newsletter 2022

California after-hours emergency requirement
Each year, all health plans in California require contracted providers to relay emergency information to patients calling during non-business hours. The instructions must inform callers how to:

• Obtain urgent or emergency care
• Reach an on-call provider to triage or screen a situation by phone and deliver urgent or emergency care, if needed

California dentists: Reminder to the language assistance regulations
The Department of Managed Health Care’s language assistance regulation mandates that all health plans in California provide language assistance services to members with limited English proficiency (LEP). The regulation that requires all health plans to inform providers of the services each year went into effect on Jan. 1, 2009. 

Our policies and procedures on language assistance services are located in your provider manual and on UHCdental.com. After logging in, click Provider Resources under Quick Links to access the manual. Review details and information on how to:

• Train office staff on handling routine contact with LEP members
• Access language assistance services for members of Dental Benefit Providers of California

As a contracted provider in California, you also have access to these services through our provider portal at UHCdental.com.