Oct. 5, 2009 MA HDC Meeting1 MA Health Disparities Council Working Group on Interpreter Services Update from Meeting #1 Measurable Standards of Practice.

Oct. 5, 2009 MA HDC Meeting 1

MA Health Disparities Council

Working Group on Interpreter Services

Update from Meeting #1Measurable Standards of Practice

Held September 23, 2009(ppt rev. 9/24/09)

Georgia Simpson May, Director, MDPH-Office of Health Equity (OHE)James Destine, Coordinator of Interpreter Services, MDPH-OHEIyah Romm, Intern, MDPH-OHE

Oct. 5, 2009 MA HDC Meeting 2

Health Disparities CouncilInterpreter Services Working Group

Today we will update on:

1. Impetus for this Work2. Scope, Process, Work Plan3. Future Decision Point

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1.Impetus for this Work

The 2007 Massachusetts LegislativeCommission to End Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities - Chapter 65 of the Acts of

2004

Three recommendations “to expand access to quality health care:”

1. Uniform standards modeled after the national standards developed through the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC).

2. Reimbursement procedures for interpreter services by all payers, public and private.

3. Statewide regulations to certify medical interpreters

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September 2009 Meeting Update

2. Scope, Process, Work Plan

Oct. 5, 2009 MA HDC Meeting 5

Presented for Review

“Hospital Interpreter Services: An Overview of Historical Perspectives, Current Initiatives, and Steps for Moving Forward”

Provides…

I. History of Medical Interpretation

II. Certification Terms, Definitions and Processes

III. Reimbursement – Who and How

IV. Standards of Practice – Current Efforts

V. Recommendations for Our (ISWG) Work

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I. Offered a Definition for Certification

II. Reviewed Models for Certification- Washington State- MA Courts- Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc- Language Line University

III. Reviewed Reimbursement for Medical Interpretation- 12 states currently reimburse - No two are exactly alike

IV. Reviewed Standards of Practice- International Medical Interpreters Assoc/MDPH- National Council on Interpreting in Health Care

V. Discussed The Work of ISWG- Analytic Framework- Five Areas of Work- Expectations of Recommendations- Meeting Schedule and Agendas

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What do people in the Commonwealth want and need in this area?

What is this area’s current status in Massachusetts? (What do we know, or don’t know?)

Are there documented “best practices” in this area (locally and nationally)?

What has been tried (locally or nationally)? What has/hasn’t worked?

What are the main barriers to good practice/improvement?

How can each of those barriers be overcome?

What kind(s) of data exist or could exist to demonstrate quality in this area?

What kind(s) of accountability for quality are possible that would drive/ensure improvement?

What resources would be needed? What are possible sources?

Suggested Analytic Framework for ISWG

MA EOL Expert Panel, 2009

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Recommendations for ISWGFive Areas of Work

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Expectations of Our (ISWG) Recommendations

That All Recommendations Be

1. Actionable

2. Achievable

3. Measurable

4. Equitable

5. Cost-Effective

6. Sustainable

7. Monitored

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ISWG Meetings and Tentative Agendas

September 23, 2009 √ October 28th, 2009

November 18th, 2009 (changed from Nov. 25th)

December 16th, 2009 (changed from Dec. 23rd)

January 27th, 2010

February 24th, 2010

March 24th, 2010*

Location: 250 Washington Street, BostonCommissioner’s Conference Room, 2nd Floor

Time: 3:15 – 4:45

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October – December 2009Oct 2009 – Mtg #2 (Certification Part I)• Consensus on Standards Recommendation• Presentation from IMIA on National

Certification (proposed, not confirmed)• How Should MA Build A Certification• Mandate or Recommendation

Nov 2009 – Mtg #3 (Certification Part II)• Continuation and completion of Mtg #2

Dec 2009 – Mtg #4 (Reimbursement Part I)

• Consensus on Certification Recommendations

• Cost Quality Analysis Presentation – the cost of medical errors resulting from language discordance in clinical settings(presenter to be identified)

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January – March 2010

Jan 2010 – Mtg #5 (Reimbursement Part II)• Continue and complete

Feb 2010 – Mtg #6 (Wrap Up)• Consensus on Reimbursement

Recommendation• Review Full Set of Recommendations• Draft A Presentation for HDC Meeting

*March 2010 – If needed

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Future Decision Points

• National Certification, State Certification, or both?

• Who will serve as the state’s certifying and oversight body – existing or new?

• Sustainability of effort, ongoing monitoring.

• Need to explore and decide on mechanism for drawing down federal Medicaid dollars to reimburse for Interpreter Services.