Reconsidering Reimbursement for Medical Interpreters in the Era of COVID-19
Shivani A. Shah, David Velásquez, Zirui Song
Abstract
As COVID-19 exerts financial strain on clinicians nationwide, its impact on health equity is a pressing concern. In recent surveys, 57% of primary care providers reported their payments were insufficient to cover costs, and 20% reported at least temporarily closing their practice, along with layoffs and furloughs. As providers are forced to cut costs, what services are cut-and whom would be most affected by such cuts-could exacerbate existing disparities. Medical interpretation services for more than 25 million individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) in the United States is a key example.
Topics & Concepts
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Reimbursement2019-20 coronavirus outbreakSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)InterpreterCoronavirus InfectionsMedicineVirologyPolitical scienceComputer scienceHealth careOutbreakLawPathologyDiseaseProgramming languageInfectious disease (medical specialty)Interpreting and Communication in HealthcareMigration, Health and TraumaEmergency and Acute Care Studies