Use Foreign Language Interpreters for Healthcare

U.S. Demographic Changes
•    According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2002, during 1990-2000 the foreign born population has increased by 44% in U.S.
•    According to U.S. Census Bureau 2002, the total foreign born population was 10% in the year 2000 which is the highest since 1930.
•    According to U.S. Census Bureau 2005, around 19% of the population in U.S. at home speaks languages other than English.

Hospital Cross Cultural Communication Services requires
•    Around 63% of the hospitals have to attend patients with limited English proficiency daily.
•    In a monthly basis about 17% of the hospitals require language service.
•    Around 82% of the hospitals are using bilingual staff or family members for translation.
•    According to the hospitals about 92% of their interpreter services by using the service of the phone interpreters.

Hasnain-Wynia, Yonek, Pierce, Kang, Greising Health Research and Educational Trust, 2006

Physicians of Internal Medicine
•    At present 65% of internists are treating LEP patients
•    About 12% of their practice consist of LEP patients
•    39% of their patients are above the age of 65
•    According to the reports, about 54% of the healthcare providers are treating Limited English proficiency patients daily or few times a week

The methods used for interpreters most frequently:
•    Using a Bilingual healthcare provider (31%)
•    Using Bilingual staff in the hospital (36%)
•    Using Family members or non trained bilingual interpreters (29%)

Less frequent method used for interpreters:
•    In order to provide language services to the patients, interpreters are hired internally
•    An agency or contractor provide language and cultural services
•    Use services from a phone interpreter, pre-scheduled or on demand

American College of Physicians, Position Paper 2007

Requirement of interpreter service
•    According to the healthcare providers, 88% of them are using an interpreter in their clinic
•    According to 51.4% of reports, interpreter service are requested by the patients prior to the appointment
•    According to 55.2% of reports, an external agency is providing the services required

Some of the concerns of healthcare industry
•    Charges
•    Accessibility even after short notice
•    Availability, wait time and scheduling
•    Not known about the service options
•    Not willing to contact an interpreter service
•    Reliability of the interpreter or Cross Cultural competency

How important is it to offer Language Services
•    Language services offer communication transparency
•    Provides satisfaction for both providers and patient
•    Enhanced patient services and clinical outcomes
•    Minimum errors with possible clinical consequences

Results of needs Assessment Survey Administered to Physician Members of the Minnesota Medical Association, Minnesota Medicine 2004

Legal needs for Interpreter Services
Federal mandate Executive Order 13166

According to Title VI Civil Rights Act 1964, any individual in the United States should not be excluded for the participation in or denied of getting benefits or should not be discriminated under any activity or program receiving Federal financial assistance on the basis of color, race or national origin.

Minnesota Law256b.0625 covered services
Subd.18a. Access to Medical Services

Sign and oral interpreter services are provided with medical assistance irrespective of the number of employees those are enrolled.  Direct person to person healthcare service is provided by the enrolled healthcare provider to the employee with limited English proficiency or limited hearing ability.

MA Fee-for-service Policy

•    Providers should arrange and pay for the interpreter
•    Presence of three people is required for the service to be covered
•    The staff members in the provider’s office should be competent in the interpretation of spoken language and can interpret the medical service.
•    Providers should be confident enough not to use family member and not to be reimbursed
•    When the patient is minor, coverage of the service is provided to the parent/guardian
•    Pay bill only for face-to-face/video/phone service time
•    Use HCPCS code T1013 (1 unit= 15 minutes)
•    The rate of MHCP payment is as lower as $12.50 or the normal and customary charge for each unit of 15-minutes
•    Bill DHS directly for eligible recipients

Service requirements of an interpreter in Minnesota:
People are coming as refugees from foreign countries to Minnesota and hence Minnesota happens to be the leader in the nation. This foreign population has to fulfill various health needs. People coming from Mexico, Burma, and Laos, Somali and Iraq and other parts of the world are the recent refugees of 2008.

•    Healthcare administrators should know the legal, federal and state requirements for interpreter services and hence there is a need to educate the healthcare administrators.
•    Interpreter services used for the direct medical appointments are covered but the administration process for those service requests are not covered.
•    About 25% of the people who required the services get them but 75% of people are not getting them or it is not claimed or documented.
•    Healthcare Home: More integrated care for people is the aim. A definite amount is paid for these services quarterly in order to help the provider to manage health of a person.

Call Dialog One today!

With our cultural awareness in the industries needing foreign language support we are the right choice for you

Call Today 1-877-300-5326 to take advantage of our many package offers.