Article Figures & Data
Tables
Qualified Interpreter for an Individual With Limited English Proficiency Qualified Bilingual/Multilingual Staff An individual who, via a remote interpreting service or on-site presence:
Adheres to generally accepted interpreter ethics principles, including client confidentiality
Has demonstrated proficiency in speaking and understanding both spoken English and at least one other spoken language
Is able to interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially, both receptively and expressly, to and from such language(s) and English, using any necessary specialized vocabulary and phraseologyA member of a covered entity’s workforce who is designated by the covered entity to provide oral language assistance as part of the individual’s current, assigned job responsibilities and who has demonstrated to the covered entity that he or she:
Is proficient in speaking and understanding both spoken English and at least one other spoken language, including any necessary specialized vocabulary, terminology, and phraseology
Is able to effectively, accurately, and impartially communicate directly with individuals with limited English proficiency in their primary languagesVideo remote interpreting (VRI) shall be provided with a qualified interpreter for an individual with limited English proficiency. When using VRI, the health program or activity shall provide:
Real-time, full-motion video and audio over a dedicated high-speed, wide-bandwidth video connection or wireless connection that delivers high-quality video images that do not produce lags, choppy, blurry, or grainy images, or irregular pauses in communication
A sharply delineated image that is large enough to display the interpreter’s face and the participating patient’s face regardless of the patient’s body position
A clear, audible transmission of voices
Adequate training to users of the technology and other involved individuals so that they can quickly and efficiently set up and operate the video remote interpreting44- Table 3
States in Which Medicaid/CHIP Programs Will Reimburse Health Care or Language Service Providers for the Cost of Interpreter Services48
District of Columbia Hawaii Iowa Idaho Kansas Maine Minnesota Montana New Hampshire New York Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Wyoming
Additional Files
The Article in Brief
Medical Interpreters in Outpatient Practice
Barry D. Weiss , and colleagues
Background An estimated 62 million people in the United States speak a language other than English at home, including approximately 25 million people with limited English proficiency. This article--from medical, legal, and education professionals--reports on requirements for and benefits of providing medical interpreters in outpatient practice.
What This Study Found US medical professionals who work with patients with limited English proficiency should rely on trained medical interpreters to give them the best comprehension of what a patient is saying. Federal law requires health programs and clinicians receiving federal funds (eg, federal grants, Medicaid, or Medicare Part A) to take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to individuals with limited English proficiency, including interpreter services. In some cases, Medicaid or other federally-funded medical insurance will cover the cost of an interpreter.
Implications
- The authors suggest that a language access plan involving professional medical interpreters will provide better health outcomes, ethical patient care, improved patient satisfaction, and reduce costly repeat visits by patients with limited understanding of their clinicians.
Correction
The author list for this paper contained a publisher error. Barb Jacob's degree was listed as "Med" and should have been "M.Ed." The online and PDF versions have since been corrected and therefore differ from the print edition.
