Notice of Nondiscrimination
BridgingLife proudly states that no person shall, on the grounds of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national/ethnic origin, ancestry, sexual preference, age, mental or physical handicap, social status, political beliefs, or ability to pay, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subject to discrimination or harassment in the provision of any care or service, referral for any care or service, or employment. Further, reasonable accommodation is to be made for employees with mental or physical handicap.
BridgingLife provides aids and services to people with disabilities at no charge to the patient and in a timely manner. Language assistance, including translated documents and oral interpreter services, will also be provided in a timely manner and at no charge to the patient. If you or your loved one needs aids and services, contact your nurse case manager at 443-244-6480.
If you believe that BridgingLife has failed to provide these services or has discriminated in another way, you may file a grievance in person or by mail, phone or fax using the contact information listed below. If you need help filing a grievance, or if you would like more information about the BridgingLife grievance procedure, please contact Bridging Life.
BridgingLife
292 Stoner Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157
Phone: 443-244-6480
Fax: 410-871-7242
TTY: 410-871-7186
You can also file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, through an electronic portal, at https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/smartscreen/main.jsf
or by mail or by phone using the contact information below.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Room 509F, HHH Building
Washington, D.C. 20201
1-800-386-1019 (toll free) or 800-537-7697 (TDD)
Complaint forms are available at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index.html.
PA Residents: If you are a patient of BridgingLife who resides in the state of Pennsylvania, and you believe that you have experienced illegal discrimination, you have the right to file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, and the PA Human Relations Commission will investigate.
Complaint forms can be downloaded here: https://www.phrc.pa.gov/File-a-Complaint/Pages/default.aspx
Please fill out the form that best describes what happened to you, then mail it to the PA Human Relations Commission office serving your county; contact information for each regional office is listed at this website: https://www.phrc.pa.gov/AboutUs/Pages/Contact-Us.aspx.
You may also file a grievance with the Pennsylvania Department of Health using the Quality Assurance Complaint Hotline for Home Health at 1-800-254-5164 or by sending a complaint form to the address below. Instructions to file a complaint with the PA Department of Health can be found here: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/facilities/Pages/Facilities-Licensing.aspx.
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Division of Home Health
555 Walnut Street Harrisburg, PA 17104
Telephone: 717-783-1379
Grievances submitted to BridgingLife must be submitted within 60 days of the date that you become aware of the possible discriminatory action and must state the problem and the solution sought. We will issue a written decision on the grievance no later than 30 days after its filing, including a notice of your right to pursue further administrative or legal action. You may file an appeal of our decision in writing to the Assistant Vice President within 15 days. the Assistant Vice President will issue a response within 30 days after its filing.
The availability and use of this grievance procedure do not prevent you from pursuing other legal or administrative remedies.
BridgingLife will not retaliate against any person who voices a concern about discrimination, who files a grievance related to discrimination, or who participates in the investigation of a grievance related to discrimination.