Individuals enrolled in Apple Health (Medicaid), Public Employees Benefits Board, and School Employees Benefits Board coverage - and those accessing behavioral health services - will not experience a disruption in care due to the federal government shutdown. In addition, health care providers will continue to be paid for the services they provide. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and share updates if anything changes.
Providers are required to ensure spoken and sign language access according to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Health Care Authority's (HCA) interpreter services (IS) supports you in your efforts by offering spoken and sign interpreter services for Apple Health (Medicaid) health care appointments. For language access or ADA questions or to file a complaint, visit our nondiscrimination webpage.
Stay informed about interpreter services updates and activities.
The Interpreter Services Program (ISP) offers access for Apple Health (Medicaid) providers to schedule spoken and sign language interpreters for prescheduled appointments to eligible clients at no additional cost. The Health Care Authority (HCA) helps providers access spoken and sign language interpreters for Apple Health clients through two programs.
In order for HCA to pay for interpreter services, the following criteria must be met:
ISP is a provider cost savings program. A client’s Apple Health eligibility does not guarantee eligibility for ISP. Health care providers retain their federal obligation to provide interpretation for Apple Health clients even if a client is not eligible for HCA interpreter services.
View the Interpreter Services Billing Guide for a list of recipient aid category (RAC) codes not eligible for ISP.
No, ISP is for pre-scheduled appointments. Inpatient services and facilities are required to provide interpreting at their own cost.
The following services covered by BHOs are not eligible for ISP:
Community mental health centers Mental health clinics Mental health institution services Alcohol or other drug-related treatment centers and programs
No, these are inpatient services and are not considered pre-scheduled services. These types of facilities would be required to provide interpreting at their own cost.
No, language access providers (LAP) and sign language interpreters must be secured through the designated request processes.
No, ISP only covers interpretation for Apple Health client appointments.
The HCA Interpreter Services Program uses spoken language interpreter services contracts that include three options:
All services provided under these contracts must be performed by a language access provider (LAP) and must be requested by an authorized requestor through our current vendor.
Sign language interpreters are provided by statewide contracts through the Department of Enterprise Services (DES). The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) oversees the contracts and partners with HCA to improve access to sign language (SL) interpreters for Apple Health-enrolled providers.
Email: HCA interpreter services