Bill > S514

This bill requires that facilities licensed under specific sections of Massachusetts law, which deal with facilities for the mentally ill and hospitals and clinics, be reimbursed for the costs of providing competent interpreter services in both sign and spoken languages. This reimbursement will be provided by the Division of Medical Assistance (which administers MassHealth, a state health insurance program for low-income residents) and its contracted entities, including health insurers, health plans, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), behavioral health management firms, and third-party contractors working with MassHealth. Essentially, the bill ensures that healthcare providers offering these interpreter services will be paid for them, rather than having to absorb the costs themselves, thereby improving access to care for individuals who are deaf or have limited English proficiency.