Non-Discrimination Policy
Discrimination is Against the Law
Avera Health Plans complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, disability, ethnicity, national origin, culture, color, religion, language, physical and/or mental status, or your ability to pay, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Avera does not exclude people or treat them less favorably because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
Avera Health Plans
- Provides people with disabilities reasonable modifications and free appropriate auxiliary aids and services to communicate effectively with us, such as:
- Qualified sign language interpreters
- Written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats, other formats).
- Provides free language assistance services to people whose primary language is not English, which may include:
- Qualified interpreters
- Information written in other languages.
If you need these services, contact Avera Health Plans customer care 800-322-2115 (or TTY 711 or 800-877-1113), Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM CT.
If you believe that Avera Health Plans has failed to provide these services or discriminated in another way on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, you can file a grievance with Avera Health Plans.
Mail:
Complaint and Appeals Coordinator
Avera Health Plans
5300 S. Broadband Lane
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
Telephone: Toll-free at 800-322-2115 (or TTY 711 or 800-877-1113)
Fax: 800-269-8561
Email: ComplaintAppeals@AveraHealthPlans.com
You can file a grievance in person or by mail, fax, or email. If you need help filing a grievance, contact Avera Health Plans Complaint and Appeals Coordinator.
You can also file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal, 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, D.C. 20201
800-368-1019 or 800-537-7697 (TDD)
Complaint forms are available at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index.html.
Other Resources to Help You
For questions about your appeal rights, this notice or for assistance, you can contact the Employee Benefits Security Administration at 866-444-EBSA (3272).
You may also contact:
South Dakota Division of Insurance
124 South Euclid Avenue, 2nd Floor
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605-773-3563
Fax: 605-773-5369
Email: insurance@state.sd.us
