Tip - Overcoming language barriers at the hospital

Capital Region hospitals overcome language barriers by using special telephones to connect patients and their medical providers with an off-site language interpreter. A nonprofit group that trains interpreters opened an office in Albany last month and hopes to build a cadre of medical interpreters who will be available for on-site and in-person language interpretation. Hospitals and large medical providers have done an excellent job in providing interpretation services since a 2006 state law went into effect, Refki said. New York hospitals are not reimbursed for language services at this time, but Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, chairman of the Assembly's health committee, has submitted a bill that would provide Medicaid reimbursement for interpretation. Central New York hospitals now have 15 interpreters on staff and more than 100 other interpreters available to accompany patients to scheduled medical appointments, or respond to emergency calls for language services. Charles Clute, director of patient relations and language assistant coordinator at Albany Medical Center, said in-person interpretation is helpful in some situations, particularly when communicating with family members.