BadgerCare Plus & Medicaid SSI Provider Manual - Group Health ...

BadgerCare Plus & Medicaid SSI Provider Manual - GHC of Eau Claire May 2012
SECTION 10- PROVISIONS FOR INTERPRETERS/TRANSLATORS
As a contracted provider, access to interpreters conversant in languages spoken by the population in the provider's
contracted service areas must be available at all times. Family members, especially children, should not be used as
interpreters in assessments, therapy and other situations where impartiality is critical.
Interpreters are to be scheduled at the same time the appointment is made by the appointment clerk.
In the case of an emergency, or if interpreters are not available in the clinic, local interpreters must be contacted to
assist by phone or in person if possible.
When scheduling an appointment at a referral office you will need to inquire if they have appropriate staff to interpret
for the patient. If not, it is the responsibility of the referring primary care provider’s office to call the appropriate
interpreter/translators' office to request an interpreter to accompany the patient to their appointment.
It is the responsibility of the patient to schedule future interpreter appointments, cancel any appointments arranged, or
reschedule any appointments made by the referring provider’s office.
It is the responsibility of the provider of healthcare to pay for this service.
PLEASE NOTE: Documentation is to be made in the patient's medical record of all efforts made to schedule an
interpreter.
Assistance in locating translation/interpretation services is available online at the Wisconsin Department of
Human Services website at www.dhs.wi.gov and specifically on the Limited English Proficiency toolkit link at
http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/civilrights/docs/LEPtoolkit.doc .
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