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Empower supports equitable care
through 2026 Cultural Competency Plan
Empower Healthcare Solutions is pleased to announce the release of its 2026 Cultural Competency Program Description and Plan and 2025 Cultural Competency Program Evaluation. The program supports Empower’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare quality and equity by reducing health care disparities and delivering culturally and linguistically appropriate services to members.
The Cultural Competency Program is coordinated and monitored by Empower’s Quality Management department and reviewed annually by Empower’s Medical Quality Management Committee. The program aligns with federal, state, and national standards related to culturally and linguistically appropriate services, nondiscrimination, plain language, health equity and PASSE requirements.
The 2025 evaluation provides valuable insight into Empower’s member population. Based on completed Health Care Questionnaire responses, 61.71 percent of members identified as White or Caucasian, 29.56 percent identified as Black or African American, and 4.23 percent identified as Two or More Races. English remained the primary language spoken in the home for 98.1 percent of members, while Spanish was the second most frequently reported language at 1.28 percent.
Language access services continued to perform well in 2025. Interpreter services were used 1,561 times, representing an average of 4.90 percent of calls. Translation requests represented an average of 3.29 percent of member needs. Interpreter services and translated materials were available 100 percent of the time needed.
The evaluation also found no member grievances or appeals related to cultural or linguistic concerns. These results support the continued effectiveness of Empower’s language access services and cultural competency processes.
In 2025, Empower also incorporated Social Determinants of Health data into the Cultural Competency Program evaluation. Of the members evaluated, 4,648 reported at least one social risk factor, representing approximately 25.8 percent of members. The most frequently reported needs included safety concerns, transportation barriers, utility insecurity, food insecurity and housing instability.
Looking ahead, the 2026 Cultural Competency Plan expands Empower’s focus on accessibility, language access monitoring, provider data collection, and disability related accommodation needs. These efforts are intended to better align member needs with provider capabilities and support members in accessing respectful, responsive and appropriate care.
The complete Cultural Competency Program Description and Plan, including evaluation results, will be available for review on the Empower Healthcare Solutions website, getempowerhealth.com. Empower encourages members, providers and community partners to review the information and provide feedback.
To provide feedback or for more information, contact the Empower public relations team at communication@empowerarkansas.com.
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