HCA begins new Sign Language Interpreter Program; training webinars scheduled Jan. 7 and 9

Effective Jan. 1, 2020, the Health Care Authority (HCA) began a new process for sign language interpreter requests for Medicaid clients. These requests with a date of service of Jan. 1, 2020 or later will need to be submitted directly to the HCA. All providers will be able to use the Prior Authorization (ProviderOne) to request appointments. The requests will be filled through the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. This new process replaces the previous one with Universal Language Services. HCA has scheduled two training webinars to assist providers with this transition: Jan. 7, 2020 at 9 a.m. and Jan. 9, 2020 at 11 a.m. If you need to request an interpreter before the webinars, HCA requests that people follow the instructions for the manual temporary process set out on the HCA’s Sign Language Transition webpage. The webinar will be posted there after Jan. 9, 2020. HCA is also hosting call-in rapid response meetings on Jan. 7, 10, 17 and 21. Details, including call-in information, are available online. Questions may also be emailed to interpretersvcs@hca.wa.gov.