Doctor--no interpreter!

Shoshana

Shoshana

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So I called the doctor (relay) and told them I need an interpreter at my appointment, I called like 3 weeks in advance and the told me NO PROBLEM and that they made note of it. I asked if I needed to call back to remind them and they said NO. So I show up for my appointment today, and tell them there should be an interpreter...they went to speak to the supervisor and told me no interpreter would be able to make it! They said sorry like 6 times though :/ not to mention the DR. had facial hair so was not the easiest to lip read
 
i'm so sorry... maybe you should remind them of ADA requirements? did you at least have him write things down? I've had doctors like this and have had to have a nurse come in and repeat everything because I could not understand with the facial hair...
 
They gave me three packets full of information and everything he went over :)
 
Shoshana said:
They gave me three packets full of information and everything he went over :)
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thats better than nothing... but still... you gave them plenty of time to find a terp... and the service they use (or at least should be using) should send a replacement if the one scheduled couldn't make it... what do you think happened? Wonder if they even called to get one to begin with?:roll:
 
Shoshana said:
honestly, I dont think they took note of it :/
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thats not ok... did you at least get some answers as to whats going on?
I say if it happens again... you either need a new doctor or report them.
 
sadly, I got no answers...I get severe Vertigo attacks and other symptoms for 4 years and just been going in circles...hopefully soon ill get answers!
 
It's really not fair that you don't have interpreters. Think about this, how many questions do you have that you haven't exactly gotten an answer for because you felt a burden of communicating?

It's not just about what the doctors tell you. It's also the other street.
 
Ask the doctor, "Who did you called"? "Which organization did you called for interpreter?". As soon you got the name of the organization, ask them and see if the interpreter is available on that day. If the interpreter is available, let them know they are available on that day. If they still said, "no interpreter are available" - they are lie. Take legal actions.
 
Sorry to hear about this, Shoshana.
It sounds like they may have interpreter shortages, not enough interpreters in FL. I heard that they already cut interpreter services in South Carolina. That's what happened to my best friend. She decided to bring her cousin instead, for her medical appointment, even tho, her cousin doesn't sign. It's sad.
 
Sosie said:
...I heard that they already cut interpreter services in South Carolina. That's what happened to my best friend. She decided to bring her cousin instead, for her medical appointment, even tho, her cousin doesn't sign. It's sad.
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Who are the "they" that cut interpreter services? What do you mean by "cut" interpreter services?
 
Reba said:
Who are the "they" that cut interpreter services? What do you mean by "cut" interpreter services?
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She said the Governor said State budget cuts medical interpreters. *shrug*
 
Sosie said:
She said the Governor said State budget cuts medical interpreters. *shrug*
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I wish you had more details; that's very vague.

Normally, the state doesn't pay sign language interpreters for medical assignments. The individual doctors and hospitals pay for the interpreter services. I've never heard of state medical interpreters in South Carolina. Even our largest state medical hospital/university hires private terps as needed.

I tried to find the information on line but no luck so far.

Was this something very recent?
 
Reba said:
I wish you had more details; that's very vague.

Normally, the state doesn't pay sign language interpreters for medical assignments. The individual doctors and hospitals pay for the interpreter services. I've never heard of state medical interpreters in South Carolina. Even our largest state medical hospital/university hires private terps as needed.

I tried to find the information on line but no luck so far.

Was this something very recent?
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Is there a chance of a reimbursement plan where the service provider (hospital/doctor/etc.) does the hiring but is reimbursed by the state? And it would be the rate for that which was cut.
 
Reba said:
I wish you had more details; that's very vague.

Normally, the state doesn't pay sign language interpreters for medical assignments. The individual doctors and hospitals pay for the interpreter services. I've never heard of state medical interpreters in South Carolina. Even our largest state medical hospital/university hires private terps as needed.

I tried to find the information on line but no luck so far.

Was this something very recent?
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:Oops: I wish my best friend HAD more details. (We text each other, but she has an old Sidekick, that doesn't work very well, she said she is trying to save $$$, to buy a new one, and she doesn't know how to use the PC... We had to write each other, which is a pain in the butt.:lol:)
1.) Beat me!
2.) I don't know anything about this because I don't live in SC, but my best friend is...
:hmm:, interesting.. I will talk to her tonight.

Funny, my best friend asked me for help last week, I was trying to research online as well, and I told her that I was not able to find the right information. Oh, well... Sigh..

I don't know if it was very recent, but again, I will get more information from her tonight, and back with the right answer.
 
Jane B. said:
Is there a chance of a reimbursement plan where the service provider (hospital/doctor/etc.) does the hiring but is reimbursed by the state? And it would be the rate for that which was cut.
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I've considered that, and have been searching that topic also. Nothing yet.
 
Sosie said:
:Oops: I wish my best friend HAD more details. (We text each other, but she has an old Sidekick, that doesn't work very well, she said she is trying to save $$$, to buy a new one, and she doesn't know how to use the PC... We had to write each other, which is a pain in the butt.:lol:)
1.) Beat me!
2.) I don't know anything about this because I don't live in SC, but my best friend is...
:hmm:, interesting.. I will talk to her tonight.

Funny, my best friend asked me for help last week, I was trying to research online as well, and I told her that I was not able to find the right information. Oh, well... Sigh..

I don't know if it was very recent, but again, I will get more information from her tonight, and back with the right answer.
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I understand. :)
 
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