Medical Interpreters in Outpatient Practice

Barb Jacobs; Anne M. Ryan; Katherine S. Henrichs; Barry D. Weiss

doi:10.1370/afm.2154

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Author response: Medical Interpreters in Outpatient Practice - Are They Required
Barry D Weiss

Published on: 24 January 2019
Re:Importance of Medical Interpreters is Vital
M R

Published on: 22 January 2019
Response to Comment from Renae Moch
Barry D Weiss

Published on: 22 January 2018
Importance of Medical Interpreters is Vital
Renae A Moch

Published on: 18 January 2018

Published on: (24 January 2019)
Page navigation anchor for Author response: Medical Interpreters in Outpatient Practice - Are They Required
Author response: Medical Interpreters in Outpatient Practice - Are They Required
Barry D Weiss, Physician
M.R. raises the question about whether a practice is required to provide medical interpreters to non-English speaking patients if the practice does not accept payments from Medicare or Medicaid. My understanding of the regulations are that if a practice or health systems receives ANY federal funds, it is required to provide interpreter services. So, it's not just Medicare or Medicaid. If the practice or health system...
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M.R. raises the question about whether a practice is required to provide medical interpreters to non-English speaking patients if the practice does not accept payments from Medicare or Medicaid. My understanding of the regulations are that if a practice or health systems receives ANY federal funds, it is required to provide interpreter services. So, it's not just Medicare or Medicaid. If the practice or health system receives federal grants or any other form of federal funding, it would be require to provide interpreter services even if it does not accept payments from Medicare or Medicaid. On the other hand, if the practice receives no federal money at all, it would not be required to provide interpreter services.
Competing interests: None declared
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Competing Interests: None declared.
Published on: (22 January 2019)
Page navigation anchor for Re:Importance of Medical Interpreters is Vital
Re:Importance of Medical Interpreters is Vital
M R, Family Physician
After reading the article, I understand that those with a disabiltiy have the right to an interpreter through the ADA. However, for those that cannot speak English, would a clinic be required to provide interpreter services if they do not accept Medicare and Medicaid?
Competing interests: None declared

Competing Interests: None declared.
Published on: (22 January 2018)
Page navigation anchor for Response to Comment from Renae Moch
Response to Comment from Renae Moch
Barry D Weiss, Physician
I agree that more states should cover interpreters in their Medicaid programs - so call your senators and representatives, and get your professional organizations (like AAFP) to support the idea, too."
Competing interests: None declared

Competing Interests: None declared.
Published on: (18 January 2018)
Page navigation anchor for Importance of Medical Interpreters is Vital
Importance of Medical Interpreters is Vital
Renae A Moch, Director
This article points out the importance of utilizing medical interpreters for patients with LEP and I've personally experienced the importance of using an interpreter to correctly identify medical issues in those unable to speak the English language. It is encouraging to see that some states are allowing reimbursement via Medicaid for medical interpreter services, but it is by far not a majority of states taking this appr...
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This article points out the importance of utilizing medical interpreters for patients with LEP and I've personally experienced the importance of using an interpreter to correctly identify medical issues in those unable to speak the English language. It is encouraging to see that some states are allowing reimbursement via Medicaid for medical interpreter services, but it is by far not a majority of states taking this approach. With the use of a medical interpreter being so vital to ensure positive patient outcomes, you'd think a mandate would be enforced nationwide for Medicaid to reimburse providers utilizing interpreter services, this should be standard. Cost for medical interpreters is not cheap by any means and with the reduction in overall reimbursements and funding for medical practices, the cost of paying for interpreters without reimbursement is challenging and a financial burden for many.
Competing interests: None declared
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Competing Interests: None declared.