California Will Require HMOs to Provide Language Interpreters

By Cecilia Green

Published on February 28, 2006

All patients deserve quality care, but this is only possible if they are able to communicate with their doctor. For this reason, medical interpreters are becoming a necessity. Hearings have already been held in Los Angeles and Oakland, bringing California one step closer to requiring qualified medical interpreters for patients who need them.

California state law requires that interpreters be available to patients who are hospitalized, either in person or by phone. The legislation for HMOs to have interpreters available to patients was passed in 2003, but the law is only now being implemented. HMOs have been trying to figure out how they can best provide this service to patients, and are currently determining the language needs.

The law will require that interpreters be provided for the top two non-English languages within each medical plan. Surveys are currently being taken to determine which two languages the plans will offer. With 40 percent of Californians speaking a language other than English, there may still be patients who won't have interpreters available.

Another concern is that while this service will be free to patients, someone must pick up the cost. Most likely, there will be an increase in healthcare costs and everyone will carry the burden.

The regulations are expected to be finalized by late spring and HMOs will have until October 2007 to comply.

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