Interpreter Services
- Overview
- Eligibility
- Accessing HRSA (Medicaid) Interpreter Services
Overview
The State Health and Recovery Services Administration (HRSA) contracts with NWRC as a broker to provide Medicaid Interpreter Services to assist medical providers who serve Medicaid-eligible, limited-English-speaking clients. The program also provides interpreters for Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) staff serving limited-English-speaking populations. (This service brokers spoken-language interpretation only; sign language interpretation must be accessed through State contracts with other agencies.)
The NWRC serves as the Broker for these services for Medicaid practitioners and DSHS offices in Island, San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom Counties, contracting with several interpreter service agencies. As a Broker, the NWRC ensures that only eligible clients receive the service and that the service is provided by fully certified and trained interpreters.
A physician, or other medical provider, may request the presence of a State certified interpreter during medical procedures or appointments for patients who are eligible for Medicaid. In addition, the service being provided must be one for which Medicaid will be billed. Interpreters under this program may only provide direct interpretation between the doctor and the patient; they may not assist the doctors by calling patients to schedule or change appointments, to counsel patients or to give instruction.
In addition to providing interpreters for medical appointments, the Broker also provides interpreters to various DSHS departments for a variety of social services, ranging from Food and Housing Assistance and Adoption Training to Child Protective Services and Early Learning programs. These interpreters must meet State certification standards for providing social services.
Eligibility
Medicaid Interpreter Services are available to:
- Medicaid practitioners whose limited-English-speaking clients are eligible for Medicaid and will be receiving services that are billed to Medicaid.
- DSHS offices that need interpreters for walk-in clients, classes and appointments with social workers.
Accessing HRSA (Medicaid) Interpreter Services
To receive information about requesting an Interpreter for your client, contact us at:
Phone: 360-738-4554 (in Whatcom County)
1-800-860-6812 (in other counties & Pt. Roberts)
Fax: 360-734-5446
Email: NWRCMedicaidAccess@dshs.wa.gov