Interpreter services (providers)

Overview of interpreter services (IS)

Interpreter services (IS) for pre-scheduled appointments are available through the Health Care Authority (HCA) for Medicaid health care professionals to gain access to skilled and qualified spoken and sign language interpreters for Apple Health (Medicaid) clients who require access to quality, efficient language during their health care services.

Program eligibility requirements

In order for HCA to pay for interpreter services, the following criteria must be met:

• The client is an eligible Apple Health client.
• Services are covered under the client's benefit package.
• The health care provider is an enrolled HCA Medicaid provider.

HCA will not pay for interpreter services for:

• Inpatient hospital services
• Nursing facility services
• Administrative services
• Answering or responding to general phone inquiries or reminder calls
• family member interpreters
• Other miscellaneous office tasks

Spoken language access providers (LAP)

Spoken language access providers (LAP) are provided through the HCA's spoken language contractor and are required to be certified, authorized or recognized by Department of Social and Health Services Language Testing and Certification (DSHS-LTC) and provide services within the scope of practice as defined by the interpreter Code of Professional Conduct. Providers may not ask them to perform nonlanguage-related tasks.

Sign language interpreters

Sign language interpreters are provided by master contracts through the Department of Enterprise Services (DES). The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) oversees the master contracts and partners with HCA to improve access to Sign Language (SL) interpreters for Apple Health-enrolled clients.

Services

• Request spoken language as a new provider
• Request spoken language interpreter as an established provider
• Request a sign language interpreter
• Get reimbursed for spoken language interpreter services
• Get reimbursed for sign language interpreter services
• View if your client is eligible

Resources

• Interpreter service billing guide
• Interpreter services data dashboard
• Interpreter service contract K2474
• Interpreter service contract K4724 OPI-VRI
• Interpreter Service Overview
• Sign language master contracts
• Benefit packages
• ProviderOne
• Collective bargaining agreement
• Contractor Guide for HCA Interpreter Services Program - for use by DES sign language master contractors