California Language Assistance
Use our free interpretation service
You must use our new Language Assistance Program (LAP) when providing care to non-English-speaking Aetna members in your office. There is no charge for this interpretation service. The LAP applies to Aetna participating dentists in California only.
The toll-free telephone number to reach an interpreter is 1-800-525-3148. This number bypasses our Dental Service Center and connects directly to qualified interpreters.
Our California members can also request interpretation services from our LAP. Members can contact our LAP for general questions, to file a grievance or to obtain a grievance form by calling the Member Services phone number on their Aetna ID card.
Health plans and insurers are required to establish a Language Assistance Program under CA SB 853, which was passed in 2003. These regulations also require us to inform contracted dentists about certain aspects of our program.
How to contact state regulators
If you have questions about this state program, you may contact the following numbers:
- For traditional plans, call the CA Department of Insurance Hotline at 1-800-927-4357.
- For HMO and DMO plans, call the CA Department of Managed Health Care Help Center at 1-888-HMO-2219 (TDD: 1-877-688-9891).
In addition, the CA HMO Help Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It provides written translation of independent medical review and complaint forms in Spanish and Chinese. You can access the forms and translations online.
Access California language assistance
Or you can obtain hard copies by submitting a written request to:
Department of Managed Health Care
Attention: HMO Help Notices
980 9th Street, Suite 500
Sacramento, CA 95814
Are you bilingual?
If you are a DMO participating dentist, please use the Language Capability Form to let us know if you and/or dentists in your office are bilingual and fluent in languages other than English.