As our population becomes more culturally and linguistically diverse, there has been a greater focus on how to deliver high-quality care to patients with limited English proficiency. A policy brief by Mathematica Policy Research found that providing face-to-face interpreters for the 22,000 Medicaid beneficiaries with limited English proficiency in Connecticut would cost $4.7 million annually. A 50% federal matching rate would reduce the cost of these services by $2.35 million. And although Medicaid managed care plans--which cover three-fourths of Connecticut’s Medicaid patients--provide interpreters, Mathematica found that many providers were unaware of the service. To secure federal matching funds for interpreters, Mathematica recommended that Connecticut reimburse interpreter services as a Medicaid-covered expense to allow the state to monitor costs and trends and build on existing payment structure.
