Nondiscrimination Notice

Our commitment

Northtide Health complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Northtide Health does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

This commitment applies to every part of our services — scheduling, video visits, phone calls, our website, patient portal, billing, and any in-person services we offer in the future.

Maryland law

Maryland law also prohibits discrimination in places of public accommodation, including healthcare providers, because of race, sex, age, color, creed, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. Northtide Health complies with these protections and treats every patient with dignity and respect.

Free language assistance

If English is not your preferred language, Northtide Health provides free language assistance services, including:

• Qualified medical interpreters, available by video or phone during your visit
• Written information translated into other languages
• Help completing forms and understanding instructions

You do not need to bring your own interpreter, and we will not ask family members — especially children — to interpret for you, except in an emergency or if you specifically request it and it is appropriate.

To request language assistance, call (443) 399-3123 or tell us when you request your appointment.

Free aids and services for people with disabilities

Northtide Health provides free aids and services to people with disabilities so they can communicate effectively with us, including:

• Qualified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, including within video visits
• Real-time captioning during video visits, when available
• Written information in other formats, such as large print, accessible electronic formats, and audio
• Telecommunications relay services — call Maryland Relay at 711
• Additional time for appointments and help using our telehealth platform
• Permission for a caregiver or support person to join your video visit

We also make reasonable modifications to our policies and procedures when needed to give people with disabilities equal access to our services. To request an aid, service, or modification, call (443) 399-3123 (TTY: 711). See our Accessibility page for more information about our website and telehealth accessibility.

Section 1557 Coordinator

Our Section 1557 Coordinator oversees our compliance with federal civil rights laws and handles requests for language assistance, auxiliary aids, and reasonable modifications.

How to file a grievance

If you believe that Northtide Health 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 our Section 1557 Coordinator. You can file a grievance in person, by mail, by phone, or by email. If you need help filing a grievance, our Section 1557 Coordinator is available to help you.

Our grievance procedure

1. File your grievance within 180 days of the date you became aware of the issue. Include your name, contact information, a description of what happened, when it happened, and the outcome you are seeking.
2. We acknowledge it in writing, usually within 5 business days.
3. We investigate promptly and fairly. We may contact you for more information.
4. We respond in writing with our findings and any corrective action, usually within 30 days of receiving your grievance.
5. You may appeal our decision in writing within 15 days of receiving it. We will respond to your appeal in writing within 30 days.

We will not retaliate against anyone who files a grievance or takes part in an investigation. Using our grievance procedure does not prevent you from filing a complaint with the government agencies below.

File a civil rights complaint with the government

You can also file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights:

• Online: ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf
• By mail: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 509F, HHH Building, Washington, D.C. 20201
• By phone: 1-800-368-1019 (TDD: 1-800-537-7697)

Complaint forms are available at www.hhs.gov/ocr/complaints.

You may also contact the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights at 410-767-8600 or mccr.maryland.gov.

Language assistance in other languages

The following statements tell people in their own language how to get free language assistance from Northtide Health.