Interpreter services (providers)
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.
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Overview of the Interpreter Services Program (ISP)
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.
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 ISP 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
- Providers employees interpreting
- Other miscellaneous office tasks
- Apple Health Expansion
- Providers are required to provide language access services to their Apple Health Expansion clients. Providers can contact Apple Health Expansion health plans for guidance requesting language access assistance.
Program eligibility FAQ
- What is the Interpreter Services Program (ISP)?
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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.
- Is interpreting for in-patient hospital services covered by this program?
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No, ISP is for pre-scheduled appointments. In-patient services and facilities are required to provide interpreting at their own cost.
- What services covered by behavioral health organizations (BHO) are not eligible for ISP?
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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
- Is interpreting for skilled nursing facilities (nursing homes, adult family homes, in-patient rehab facilities) covered?
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No, these are in-patient services and are not considered pre-scheduled services. These types of facilities would be required to provide interpreting at their own cost.
- Can an employee of a provider's office provide interpretation for an Apple Health client’s appointment and still be paid by HCA?
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No, language access providers (LAP) and sign language interpreters must be secured through the designated request processes.
- Can a provider's office secure an interpreter for an employee through HCA?
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No, ISP only covers interpretation for Apple Health client appointments.
Interpreter Services Program spoken options
The HCA Interpreter Services Program uses spoken language interpreter services contracts that include three options:
- In-person
- Over the phone
- Video remote interpreter services
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
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.
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
- Provider Enrollment
- ProviderOne security