Need interpreter at eye doctor?

[dereksbicycles]

I read this on my friend's Facebook status(not my writing):

Good grief! A month ago, I have scheduled eye appointment for this Friday. I called to confirm that I'm coming and the interpreter been set up? I go out of my way helping this dude have access to interpreter directory and we had 2 interpreters for the past 2 years check ups no problem. My same eye doctor for my third check up has not heard back from one interpreter we used and that we have to cancel this friday appointment. He continued to tell me that hiring a sign language interpreter is expensive and that they charged him 2 hours minimum. He went in and said he want to hire cheapest interpreter and can't afford those interpreters. I tried to be understanding but its my right to equal access to communication just like every one else. But why isn't it every time I call for medical appointments and they had the nerve to refuse or complain thinking its not their responsibility to hire a interpreter. It's time consuming to advocate for myself and making sure my heath needs are being met and not neglected. Why can't I just call and make an appointment just like everyone else?! Can't help keep my thoughts quiet! But grrrr enough of that, he's fired and now I'm looking to hire a new one. Back at square one!

My writing below:


Now, I am kind of curious about interpreter at eye doctor. Let's say an eye appointment was to set you back $50. Now, eye doctor was to pay maybe $100 for an interpreter. Eye doctor office would lose money.

I have respect for ADA and understand that many people would like to have an interpreter.

I'm just curious why cannot a person use lap top or chalk board? Yeah, we all want equal service. It just seems that cost of interpreter is a lot of money for medical issues even if a routine eye doctor appointment.

 

[WillKnit]

It's part of the cost of doing business. The money they make from other patients should offset the cost of the interpreter even if they lose money on the appointment. Now if it was a doctor that they saw a lot and it was just a quick check-up? Then maybe pen and paper would be ok. But an eye doctor? that is a lot of information to convey with writing and it's not really feasible when you are trying to read a line of letters with one eye covered or trying to look through that giant glasses-like contraption.
I find it hard to believe that this doctor has so many patients requiring interpreters that it's really that much of a financial hardship.

 

[Frisky Feline]

I know. If this office is pretty small and limited with budget. I would not attend there. I would attend to the bigger office so they have more money for an interpreter. However, I did not ask for interpreter when I had an appointment for my eyes because its just check up or all simple things. Pen and paper are perfect for me because i can save them as an evidence for the future what they told me. If it gets too complicate and serious about eyes, and will take an longer like an hour then i ll ask for an interpreter. Hope your friend will find another eye doctor office or pen and paper. its up to your friend.

 

[xavierzsada]

I am just starting classes to become an interpreter, so I may be way off on this, but certainly the doctor's office has insurance OR the person who wrote this about the eye doctor has insurance, and maybe the insurance should be covering the interpreter bill. That seems like the logical thing to me. It is part of the medical expense, just like a prescription or the glasses. I may be wrong, but I feel that if it is legally required (which it should be) then the doctor's office should supply it and they should charge it as they would as an expense. Also, I don't know how interpreting works yet, but if a doctor EVER has a Deaf patient, then they should have access to an interpreting agency, and be able to gain access to an interpreter at the same time they schedule the appt. That way the patient isn't put out. If the doctor's office isn't able to do that, then the patient should be able to set it up, but have the doctor pay, and the doctor should be able to bill the business' insurance to cover it. Maybe if it doesn't work this way you should call your local representatives (since the healthcare laws are changing (for the better I might add) and have them make sure that since pre existing conditions are no longer an issue that interpreters are now covered too

 

[dereksbicycles]

I am just starting classes to become an interpreter, so I may be way off on this, but certainly the doctor's office has insurance OR the person who wrote this about the eye doctor has insurance, and maybe the insurance should be covering the interpreter bill. That seems like the logical thing to me. It is part of the medical expense, just like a prescription or the glasses. I may be wrong, but I feel that if it is legally required (which it should be) then the doctor's office should supply it and they should charge it as they would as an expense. Also, I don't know how interpreting works yet, but if a doctor EVER has a Deaf patient, then they should have access to an interpreting agency, and be able to gain access to an interpreter at the same time they schedule the appt. That way the patient isn't put out. If the doctor's office isn't able to do that, then the patient should be able to set it up, but have the doctor pay, and the doctor should be able to bill the business' insurance to cover it. Maybe if it doesn't work this way you should call your local representatives (since the healthcare laws are changing (for the better I might add) and have them make sure that since pre existing conditions are no longer an issue that interpreters are now covered too

I'm pretty sure that there is a shortage of interpreter in medical field so it's often difficult to schedule a same day interpreter for doctor appointment.

I'm not sure if insurance is supposed to cover that. I'm lucky that I've a girlfriend who can use some ASL and so does my family. That is good enough for doctor appointment. Plus, I can write good English so I'll be fine.

 

[Reba]

I'm pretty sure that there is a shortage of interpreter in medical field so it's often difficult to schedule a same day interpreter for doctor appointment.

True. Same-day scheduling is difficult. The sooner someone can make an appointment, the better.

I'm not sure if insurance is supposed to cover that. I'm lucky that I've a girlfriend who can use some ASL and so does my family. That is good enough for doctor appointment. Plus, I can write good English so I'll be fine.

Insurance usually does NOT cover interpreting services. Also, the interpreting expense is never supposed to to be applied to the patient.

It is totally unethical (and sometimes illegal) for a friend or family member to perform as an interpreter in a medical setting. The only exception I can think of is a parent interpreting for a minor child.

 

[Reba]

I am just starting classes to become an interpreter, so I may be way off on this, but certainly the doctor's office has insurance OR the person who wrote this about the eye doctor has insurance, and maybe the insurance should be covering the interpreter bill. That seems like the logical thing to me. It is part of the medical expense, just like a prescription or the glasses. I may be wrong, but I feel that if it is legally required (which it should be) then the doctor's office should supply it and they should charge it as they would as an expense. Also, I don't know how interpreting works yet, but if a doctor EVER has a Deaf patient, then they should have access to an interpreting agency, and be able to gain access to an interpreter at the same time they schedule the appt. That way the patient isn't put out. If the doctor's office isn't able to do that, then the patient should be able to set it up, but have the doctor pay, and the doctor should be able to bill the business' insurance to cover it. Maybe if it doesn't work this way you should call your local representatives (since the healthcare laws are changing (for the better I might add) and have them make sure that since pre existing conditions are no longer an issue that interpreters are now covered too

Please read this:

Questions and Answers for Health Care Providers | National Association of the Deaf

(You might want to print this out for future reference.)