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2018-13: Free Language Resources for Providers

Date: 02/19/18

Louisiana Healthcare Connections is committed to supporting providers in caring for your patients – our members. We recognize that better cross-cultural and linguistic communication can play an important role in reducing health disparities. Many of our members speak languages other than English, including Spanish, Vietnamese and Arabic, while others may have low health literacy levels. This could lead to misunderstandings about health conditions or medications.

Because the ability to communicate successfully can directly affect treatments and/or outcomes, we are pleased to offer complimentary interpretation services to our network providers.

To obtain access to a telephonic interpreter, please follow these steps:

  1. Using a phone in the exam room, call Provider Services at 1-866-595-8133. Please be sure to have the member’s ID number.
  2. Tell the Provider Services representative that you need an interpreter in the desired language.
  3. When connected, use the speakerphone function to communicate with the patient.

Please Note: Sign language interpretation is also available. Please call in advance to arrange to have a sign language interpreter present for the member’s appointment.

Reminder:

Louisiana Healthcare Connections also provides member materials in many languages. To request member materials in a language other than English, please call Provider Services to let us know what kinds of materials you need and the languages you need those materials translated to.

Additional suggestions to assist you in successfully communicating with patients include the following:

  • Members may call in advance of appointments to schedule complimentary in-person interpretation services.
  • Take additional time to allow patients the opportunity to process information.
  • Use plain, non-medical language.
  • Show or draw pictures.
  • Limit the amount of information and repeat it.
  • Use the teach-back method of asking patients to repeat instructions back to you.
  • Create a shame-free environment that encourages patients to ask questions.