By Vanessa Orr
Accessibility is important, especially in healthcare. In order to improve healthcare access for individuals with disabilities, in 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) updated accessibility rules for healthcare providers receiving federal financial assistance.
While some deadlines to comply with updates to Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act–which affects hospitals, physician practices and many dental offices—have passed, others are soon to come. It is important that healthcare entities are aware of both medical equipment requirements and digital accessibility requirements to remain compliant with the law.
“This July 8, 2026, marked the deadline for healthcare providers receiving federal financial assistance to have at least one accessible exam table and one wheelchair-accessible weight scale,” said Kyla Murphy Faircloth, AVP National Healthcare Practice, Risk Strategies. “Medical staff had to be trained on operating the accessible equipment and know how to safely assist patients with disabilities.”
In the next two years, providers must meet digital compliance deadlines as well. These include making patient-facing technology accessible, including websites, patient portals, mobile apps, online scheduling, telehealth platforms and self-service kiosks. According to the DHHS, healthcare facilities must meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
Organizations with more than 15 employees must be in compliance by May 11, 2027, and organizations with 15 or fewer employees must be in compliance by May 10, 2028.
“There are a few different reasons why this is important,” said Murphy Faircloth. “First, DHHS is looking to promote equitable access to healthcare and improve patient safety and improve the patient experience as a whole. As changes take place in technology and medical equipment, they also want to make sure that everyone is up to date on these changes.”
By evaluating current equipment, training staff, assessing digital accessibility and working with vendors to ensure compliance, it will streamline the healthcare process, making providers’ jobs easier and creating a better patient experience.
“With improved digital accessibility, for example, patients can sign up for appointments online, even scheduling six months in advance, without having to call,” said Murphy Faircloth. “Today’s systems track everything in the practice, which makes it easier for everybody.”
According to Murphy Faircloth, while these are primarily civil rights regulations, these updates do have risk management implications as well. Lack of accessible equipment or accommodations can contribute to patient injuries, delayed diagnoses and increased risk if harm occurs. Compliance improves patient safety, reduces liability risk and demonstrates proactive risk management.
“This could go one of two ways, however,” said Murphy Faircloth. “If the equipment and technology is implemented correctly, it reduces risk. But if it is not implemented correctly, or staff isn’t properly trained, it could eventually cause more exposure if it results in patient injuries or delayed diagnoses. This could result in carriers less likely to provide coverage if claims increase.”
While the rule itself does not automatically increase malpractice insurance premiums, repeated accessibility-related incidents or claims could influence an insurer’s assessment of risk. For this reason, proper documentation of accommodations and staff training is imperative.
“It is still the provider’s job to double-check everything, just like when entering AI-dictated notes into a telehealth platform,” said Murphy Faircloth. “In some cases, medical devices can do services that doctors used to perform, but they still need to be keeping an eye on everything to make sure it is working correctly. New technology should be used as a tool and not a crutch.”
For more information, contact Kyla Murphy Faircloth at kyla.faircloth@bbrown.com or call (800) 966-2120.
