The number of clients in the Utah Medicaid program who have limited English proficiency (LEP) has increased dramatically in the last several years. Previous contracts for interpretive services were limited in scope and coverage resulting in delays in obtaining interpreters, and concerns about the qualifications and competency of some of those interpreters. In May, 2000, the Utah Medicaid program issued an RFP to obtain interpretive services with an emphasis on quality of service, language competency, medical terminiology, ethics and cultural competency. During this process, input was solicited from the provider community, from the Office of Ethnic Health, and from Medicaid recipients.
Through this process, multiple contracts were established for in-person and phone coverage. In an effort to alleviate the concerns of many fee-for-service providers, this program also established the policy and procedures to allow Medicaid providers to obtain interpreters without a prior approval process, and with the billing charges sent directly to Medicaid. Medicaid employees may also order services without obtaining additional authorization or approval.
This process has resulted in a unique system which is serving as a model for other state programs. This presentation will share lessons learned to ensure quality, access and cost effectiveness in obtaining interpretive services.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be presented with a model for contracting for Medicaid Interpretive Services. Participants will learn the value of working closely with the provider and client communities to establish creative approaches to solving issues of access, quality of care, and cost control in a Medicaid environment.
Keywords: Medicaid, Interpreters
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.