Provider Alerts

The Cultural and Linguistics Department of Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) would like to inform you of two important updates:

1. Transition from Traditional to Simplified Chinese: On 5/24/23 the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced that they would be modifying their standard language assistance tagline template to replace Traditional Chinese with Simplified Chinese. To maintain consistency across member materials, as well as reaching the largest population of Chinese readers possible, HSPJ has changed its default for written Chinese translation from Traditional to Simplified for all member-facing materials moving forward, unless Traditional Chinese is specifically requested by a member. Materials previously translated into Traditional Chinese that are still in use are in the process of being converted. We encourage you to ensure any member-facing materials produced by your entity are also available in Simplified Chinese to align with the direction DHCS has taken, and to offer Chinese readers consistency across various entities.
2. Magnet Campaign for Speakers of Khmer, Chinese, and Hmong: To increase engagement with interpreter services, HPSJ launched a “magnet campaign” in mid-July whereby all member households where Khmer, Chinese, or Hmong are listed as a member’s primary language received a small magnet with information on how to request an onsite interpreter for any upcoming appointments, as well as a letter encouraging them to rely on qualified interpreter services rather than friends and family members. Providers and their teams play a huge role in making this campaign a success by encouraging reliance on qualified onsite, phone, and video interpreters as much as possible across all language groups, while of course welcoming the continued participation of friends and family in the patient’s care as desired by the patient. Providers are also able to help members schedule onsite interpreter services by calling HPSJ Customer Service at 888 936-7526 (TTY 711). Remember: the member is never responsible for the cost of interpreter services.

If you have any further questions, please contact your Provider Services Representative, or call our Customer Service Department at 1-888-936-PLAN (7526). You may also visit https://www.hpsj.com/alerts/ for online access to the documents shared. The most recent information about Health Plan of San Joaquin and our services is always available on our website https://www.hpsj.com/.