AMA seeks federal funding of medical interpreters

Doctors, who pick up most of the tab, have a hard time with costs.

By Tanya Albert, AMNews staff. Jan. 5, 2004.

Honolulu -- Doctors fed up with being stuck with interpreter bills that sometimes exceed reimbursement for patient visits are "redoubling" their efforts to get some financial relief from what they view as an unfunded federal mandate.

Although the government in August 2003 made the guidelines for accommodating patients who don't speak English more flexible, physicians say much more needs to be done. The rules, released by the Dept. of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights, apply to doctors and facilities that accept patients in programs funded by federal money, including Medicare, Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Acceptance of Medicare Part B pay alone does not trigger the interpreter rule.

At the AMA Interim Meeting in December 2003, physicians directed the Association to:

• Continue trying to get federal funds for medical interpreter services.
• Consider the feasibility of a legal solution to the interpreter services funding problem.
• Work with government officials and other organizations to make interpreter services a covered benefit for all health plans, which are "in a superior position to pass on the cost of these federally mandated services as a business expense."
• Urge the Bush administration to reconsider its interpretation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that medical interpreter services be provided without reimbursement.

The Office of Management and Budget says physicians in 2002 paid $156.9 million of the $267.6 million spent on medical interpreter services.