Billing for translator services

[bigjim]

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One of my coworkers mentioned that he dictates use of his "interpretive services" for patients he speaks Spanish with. Is this legit? Is there a CPT code for this? I have seriously been missing out if this is the case.

If real, what are the buzzwords needed to capture this charge?

 

[docB]

I doubt we can bill for this. I base that supposition on the following:

-I've never heard of it. I'm not a big expert but I work for a huge EM company and if this could be billed they'd be forcing us to take language classes or at least teaching the bilingual docs how to bill for it.

-I think that charge goes under the hospital's facility charges, not the professional charge. I think the hospital charges for it but they are the ones paying the actual interpreters or the language line fees.

Now that doesn't mean it can't be done but like I said, I've neve heard of it.

 

[cach]

One of my coworkers mentioned that he dictates use of his "interpretive services" for patients he speaks Spanish with. Is this legit? Is there a CPT code for this? I have seriously been missing out if this is the case.

If real, what are the buzzwords needed to capture this charge?

If your facility receives any federal funding you are obligated to provide free high quality translational services to anyone who uses your facility for free.

Medicaid and SCHIP programs should provide
qualified interpreters and accurate translations of
documents for persons who are limited English proficient
(LEP). Federal civil rights law requires
recipients of federal funds to make available no
cost interpretation and translation services to
provide LEP persons meaningful access to federally
funded programs and services. This obligation
extends to all aspects of a recipient's operations,
whether or not a particular activity receives
federal funding.​

Federal funding recipients are often unaware of
their obligations or do not understand how to
meet them. Many communities have limited
resources for interpretation and translation. HHS
has developed detailed guidance to help recipients
of its funds (including Medicaid and SCHIP funds)
understand their obligations to LEP persons.​

​

​

Advocates should ensure that both recipients and
LEP community members are aware of the

recipients' obligations, and work with recipients to
implement language assistance programs as
​

​

described in the guidance.​

 

[docB]

Awsome!

Yet another unfunded mandate. There you go.

 

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