Language Line Services Healthcare Newsletter
April 2008

Greetings!

Welcome to In Other Words for healthcare professionals.

Now in its 5th year, this monthly newsletter from Language Line Services is being published from Monterey, California -- The Language Capital of the World.

If you would rather receive our monthly general interest version of In Other Words, send a note to newsletter@languageline.com. Thank you!

In this issue
  • Services For You, Your Staff and Your Patients
  • National Medical Interpreter Certification Survey
  • Second Annual National Medical Interpreter Certification Forum To Be Held May 1, 2008, in Portland, Oregon
  • California Health Plans Have Just 68 Days to Comply With Language Assistance Program Requirements of Senate Bill 853
  • An Invitation from the International Medical Interpreters Association
  • Thanks for Subscribing to "In Other Words"

  • National Medical Interpreter Certification Survey
    survey 2


    If you are a professional language interpreter and/or an interested party in interpreter certification, please take a moment right now to complete this brief...

    2008 National Medical Interpreter Certification Survey

    Over 700 language professionals have already voiced their opinions about national certification of medical interpreters.

    Please join them.

    The final date to submit your reply to this survey, and to have your vote count, is today Wednesday, April 23rd.

    So, please take this survey now.*

    Thank you!

    *Special Note: Language Line Services is the vehicle through which the survey is being communicated to interested parties.

    However, the data gathered will be used to further the efforts of the numerous professional interpreter organizations that are collaborating on the development of a national medical interpreter certification process.


    Second Annual National Medical Interpreter Certification Forum To Be Held May 1, 2008, in Portland, Oregon
    NMICF image revised


    The goal of the National Medical Interpreter Certification Forum...

    ...is to improve and support standardization of the quality of language services in the nation's health care institutions in order to eliminate linguistic and cultural barriers to quality care for patients with limited English proficiency (LEP).

    In addition to improving access to quality health care, the National Medical Interpreter Certification Forum is also aimed at raising awareness of the vital role played by medical interpreters in the delivery of quality care.

    "The forum gives an opportunity, in an inclusive and collaborative way, for me to hear about the latest developments in national certification and to help support my profession by being part of this important initiative," said Dolores Turner, a Spanish speaking medical interpreter who resides in Oregon.

    There is still time to attend this free forum.

    If you would like to join us, please register through Linda Joyce at ljoyce6403@yahoo.com

    PS: Results of the above-mentioned survey will be reported at the 2nd Annual National Medical Interpreter Certification Forum on May 1st in Portland, Oregon.


    California Health Plans Have Just 68 Days to Comply With Language Assistance Program Requirements of Senate Bill 853
    clock three


    The countdown continues today as California managed health care plans have just 68 days before the state deadline to file amendments to their quality assurance programs providing written language assistance program policies and procedures.

    This deadline brings millions of health plan enrollees with limited English proficiency (LEP) one step closer to the goal of equal access to health care treatment and services.

    In 2003, the California legislature passed Senate Bill 853 mandating that all health plans in the state provide LEP enrollees with language assistance services.

    To ensure compliance with the new requirements and standards outlined in Title 28 of the California Code of Regulations, managed health care plans have until July 1, 2008 to file in writing their proposed standards in four areas:

    • enrollee assessment
    • provision of language assistance services
    • staff training, and
    • compliance monitoring.

    Language Line Services is consulting with several health plans around the state to help them comply with the requirements of SB 853.

    The company's SB 853 Compliance Program addresses all the components needed to ensure a well-rounded and comprehensive language assistance program, including:

    • policy planning and development,
    • 24/7 access to interpreters in 170 spoken languages and American Sign Language,
    • member outreach and customer service,
    • document translation,
    • medical interpreter certification, and
    • compliance auditing, among other services.

    For more information about the Language Line Services SB 853 Compliance Program, contact Jeanette Anders at 877-584-2545 or janders@languageline.com or visit http://www.languageline.com/page/sb853


    An Invitation from the International Medical Interpreters Association
    IMIA International Med Interpreters


    Dear prospective corporate member:

    We would like to invite your organization to become a Corporate Member of the International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA - formerly known as the MMIA).

    The IMIA is a non-profit organization committed to equal access to quality health care for all people through the advancement of professional medical interpreting.

    Founded in 1985, and with over 1,500 we are the oldest and largest medical interpreter association in the country.

    Whether you currently employ medical interpreters, or your organization is considering setting up an Interpreter Services Department, you will find the IMIA to be a leader in the advancement of professional medical interpretation and a clearinghouse of information that will benefit your organization.

    Read the rest of IMIA's letter here


    PS: To see IMIA's corporate section, go to http://www.mmia.org/corporate/default.asp and to join IMIA, please go to http://www.mmia.org/join/corporate.asp


    Thanks for Subscribing to "In Other Words"


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    Services For You, Your Staff and Your Patients
    Cert Med Insignia


    Order Language Line Phones

    See how easy it is to communicate with your limited English-speaking patients face-to-face.

    Order our newest phone. The "Relating in Red" AIDS awareness dual-handset phone (see article lower left)


    Introducing the Language Line HealthPort

    Learn about this new, interactive software for health care providers. Offers you immediate, clear, concise, two-way communication between yourself and your patient. Read more here.


    Language Line Video Interpreter Service

    Serve your deaf and hard of hearing patients at admitting, pharmacy, and their bedside... All day, any day.

    Visit Video Interpreting Services or write to Video Interpreter for more information.


    Language Line Personal Interpreter Service

    Need an interpreter right now? Set up an account in minutes. Have an interpreter on the phone within seconds!
    Have your credit card ready and click here for your Personal Interpreter.


    Visit Language Line Services' "News Room"

    For the latest news about our services, programs and partnerships.


    Sign up for the Language Line eBill

    Start receiving your combined electronic invoice and language usage report in Microsoft Excel format

    Dial: 1-800-752-6096 or visit eBill.


    Online "How It Works" Tutorial

    Click here to see our online training tutorial.

    Perfect for your new employees, or refresher training for all your staff.


    Demo Line

    Would you like to hear a recorded demonstration of language interpretation?

    Dial: 1-800-821-0301


    Share "In Other Words" with your staff and customers!

    Would you like to reprint articles from this newsletter?

    For your website or in your own newsletters?

    Great! Just include this line at the end of each article you reprint: Copyright 2006, Language Line Services, "In Other Words".


    Monterey, Language Capital of the World

    Language Line Services is just one of many major "language assets" of California's Monterey Peninsula.

    Learn more about Monterey's world-renowned language community.


    Quick Links...

    Language LineŽ HealthPort Exciting Software Solution

    Language LineŽ Personal Interpreter Call Right Now

    Language LineŽ Over-The-Phone Interpretation in Over 170 Languages

    Document Translation: Need a Form, Sign or Brochure Translated?

    Language LineŽ Video Interpreting Service Is Here!

    The Language LineŽ Phone: Dual Handset Phones

    Ask Language LineŽ University To Train Your Bilingual Staff

    Customer Training and Support Tools for You



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