It is the policy of Providence Anchorage Anesthesia Medical Group not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, age, or disability. Providence Anchorage Anesthesia Medical Group has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by Section 15557 of the Affordable Care Act (42U.S.C. 18116) and its implementing regulations at 45 CFR part 92, issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Section 1557 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, age, or disability in certain health programs and activities. Section 1557 and its implementing regulations may be examined in the office of the Executive Director, 3300 Providence Drive, Suite 207, 907-561-0005, Fax: 907-563-9140, E-mail: RobertaB@paamg.net who has been designated to coordinate the efforts of Providence Anchorage Anesthesia Medical Group to comply with Section 1557.
Any person that believes someone has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, age, or disability may file a grievance under this procedure. It is against the law for Providence Anchorage Anesthesia Medical Group to retaliate against anyone who opposes discrimination, files a grievance, or participates in the investigation of a grievance.
Procedure:
1. Grievances must be submitted in writing to the Section 1557 Coordinator within 60 days of the date of the person filing the grievance becoming aware of the alleged discriminatory action. This is not to exceed 180 days from the alleged discrimination.
2. The complaint must be in writing, containing the name, address, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address of the person filing it. The complaint must state the problem and action alleged to be discriminatory, the date(s) and persons involved in the occurrence, and the remedy and relief sought. All evidence supporting one’s complaint shall be submitted with the complaint. All parties with any information pertaining to one’s complaint shall be identified at this time with their contact information provided as noted above.
3. The Section 15557 Coordinator (or his/her designee) shall conduct an investigation of the complaint. This investigation may be informal, but it will be thorough, affording all interested persons an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint. The Section 1557 Coordinator will maintain the files and records of PAAMG relating to such grievance. Reasonable efforts will be made to maintain the confidentiality of such files.
4. The Section 15557 Coordinator (or his/her designee) will issue a written decision on the grievance, based on a preponderance of the evidence, no later than 30 days after its filing, including a notice to the complainant of their right to pursue further administrative or legal remedies.
5. The person filing the grievance may appeal the decision of the Section 1557 Coordinator by writing to the President, PAAMG within 15 days of receiving the Section 1557 Coordinator’s decision. The President, PAAMG shall issue a written decision in response to the appeal no later than 30 days after its filing.
The availability and use of this grievance procedure do not prevent a person from pursuing other legal or administrative remedies, including filing a complaint of discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in court or with the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights. A person can file a complaint of discrimination electronically through the Office of Civil Rights Complain Portal, which is available at: https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf
or by mail or phone at:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue SW., Room 509F, HHH Building
Washington, DC 20210
Complaint forms are available at: http:www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index.html. Such complaints must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discrimination.
PAAMG will make appropriate arrangements to ensure that individuals with disabilities and individuals with limited English proficiency are provided services and language assistance services, respectively, if needed to participate in this grievance process. Such arrangements may include providing interpreters and a barrier-free location for the proceedings. The Section 1557 coordinator will be responsible for such arrangements.
