Medical-legal evaluations can be complex, and in some cases, they must be conducted in the presence of an interpreter, especially in a state as big and diverse as California. With that in mind, today we tell you everything you need to know about Qualified Medical Evaluators and interpreters in the Golden State. Keep reading to learn more.
When Is an Interpreter Necessary?
The workers’ compensation settings where an interpreter may be present include:
- Medical-leg evaluations
- Depositions
- Appeals board hearings
- Medical treatment appointments
An interpreter may take part in any of the above settings upon request of an employee who does not speak or understand English proficiently.
Note that the interpreter service must be from a state certified interpreter (see below).
As QME, you should note in the appointment notification form that a certified interpreter is required. When making the appointment, your staff should ask the injured worker which language is needed.
As for the arrangements and payment, those duties fall on the claims adjuster.
Two Types of Interpreters
Keep in mind that for the purposes of California’s workers’ compensation system, there are two types of interpreters:
- Interpreters for hearings, depositions, or arbitration
- Interpreters for medical-legal evaluations and medical treatment appointments
Interpreters qualified to provide interpretation services at hearings, depositions or arbitration need to be certified or provisionally certified.
Being certified means being listed on the State Personnel Board webpage or the California Courts webpage. Provisional certification, on the other hand, means that an interpreter has been deemed qualified to perform interpreter services when a certified interpreter cannot be present.
In addition to being certified, interpreters for medical legal evaluations and medical treatment appointments must also meet one of the following requirements:
- Passing the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) exam
- Passing the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (National Board) exams
- Being provisionally certified as an interpreter for purposes of medical treatment appointments or medical legal exams (A) if the claims administrator has given prior written consent to the interpreter who provides the services, or (B) the injured worker requires interpreter services in a language other than Spanish, Tagalog, Arabic, Cantonese, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Vietnamese, in which case the physician may use a provisionally certified interpreter if that fact is noted in the record of the medical evaluation
For more answers to common questions about the work of QMEs, check out our previous blogs, “Is There a Fee To Be a QME in California?“ and “How Long Does the QME Exam Take?“
Practice IQ: Medical Billing Services in California
At Practice IQ, we understand the challenges healthcare professionals face in today’s fast-paced world. That’s why we have made it our mission to take care of the administrative side of medical-legal reports and billing so you can focus on what you do best.
We are located in Pomona, California, and serve clients all over the Golden State. Get in touch today by telephone (424-433-5704) or email (piqusinfo@practiceiqusa.com), or fill out the contact form to learn more about our services.
