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Overcoming Language Barriers in Health Care: Costs and Benefits of Interpreter Services

Author

Listed:
  • Jacobs, E.A.
  • Shepard, D.S.
  • Suaya, J.A.
  • Stone, E.-L.

Abstract

Objectives. We assessed the impact of interpreter services on the cost and the utilization of health care services among patients with limited English proficiency. Methods. We measured the change in delivery and cost of care provided to patients enrolled in a health maintenance organization before and after interpreter services were implemented. Results. Compared with English-speaking patients, patients who used the interpreter services received significantly more recommended preventive services, made more office visits, and had more prescriptions written and filled. The estimated cost of providing interpreter services was $279 per person per year. Conclusions. Providing interpreter services is a financially viable method for enhancing delivery of health care to patients with limited English proficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Jacobs, E.A. & Shepard, D.S. & Suaya, J.A. & Stone, E.-L., 2004. "Overcoming Language Barriers in Health Care: Costs and Benefits of Interpreter Services," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(5), pages 866-869.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:2004:94:5:866-869_4
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    Cited by:

    1. Robert Doričić & Marcin Orzechowski & Marianne Nowak & Ivana Tutić Grokša & Katarzyna Bielińska & Anna Chowaniec & Mojca Ramšak & Paweł Łuków & Amir Muzur & Zvonka Zupanič-Slavec & Florian Steger, 2021. "Diversity Competency and Access to Healthcare in Hospitals in Croatia, Germany, Poland, and Slovenia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-14, November.
    2. Pavlish, Carol Lynn & Noor, Sahra & Brandt, Joan, 2010. "Somali immigrant women and the American health care system: Discordant beliefs, divergent expectations, and silent worries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(2), pages 353-361, July.
    3. Abdulaziz Ahmed & Elizabeth Frohn, 2021. "A predictive and prescriptive analytical framework for scheduling language medical interpreters," Health Care Management Science, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 531-550, September.
    4. Digo Chakraverty & Annika Baumeister & Angela Aldin & Tina Jakob & Ümran Sema Seven & Christiane Woopen & Nicole Skoetz & Elke Kalbe, 2020. "Gender-Specific Aspects of Health Literacy: Perceptions of Interactions with Migrants among Health Care Providers in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-20, March.
    5. Alice W. Migongo & Richard Charnigo & Margaret M. Love & Richard Kryscio & Steven T. Fleming & Kevin A. Pearce, 2012. "Factors Relating to Patient Visit Time With a Physician," Medical Decision Making, , vol. 32(1), pages 93-104, January.
    6. Melanie Au & Erin Fries Taylor & Marsha Gold, "undated". "Improving Access to Language Services in Health Care: A Look at National and State Efforts," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 0b6583d3bcd2430c8eb67ad87, Mathematica Policy Research.
    7. Nielsen, Maj Rørdam & Jervelund, Signe Smith, 2023. "Impacts of an interpretation fee on immigrants’ access to healthcare: Evidence from a Danish survey study among newly arrived immigrants," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).
    8. repec:mpr:mprres:6242 is not listed on IDEAS

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