Pilot reimburses cost to provide Sign Language Interpreters, more
Oct 29, 2021 Newsletter: September-October 2021 Digital Forum
The NC Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH), in cooperation with the Division of Health Benefits, has launched a pilot program that helps Medicaid providers improve communication access for patients who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
The program reimburses Medicaid providers for the cost of providing Sign Language interpreters and also provides certain supplies, equipment and reimbursement for other services that improve communication access. Most Medicaid contracted healthcare providers who provide outpatient services outside of a hospital environment can qualify for the program by completing the registration form here.
DSDHH will even retroactively reimburse Medicaid providers who have arranged communication access for Deaf, Hard of Hearing or DeafBlind patients seen in an approved setting since January 26, 2021. Examples of covered settings include physician appointments, eye exams, in-home health care, hospice services, mental and behavioral health, and many more.
Medicaid providers may be able to qualify for the following benefits through the pilot:
Personal Sound Amplification device
Box of Clear Masks (to facilitate lip reading)
Reimbursement for communication access in approved settings
o Sign Language interpreters
o Captioning services
o Additional accommodations as needed
Pay for Support Service Providers for DeafBlind individuals
The pilot project was established in response to a 2019 initiative by the North Carolina Institute of Medicine and the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH) to address access to healthcare for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals. One of the barriers identified is the cost related to providing communication access services (e.g., sign language interpreters).
To learn more about obtaining assistance to provide communication access to patients, please go to the Medicaid Communication Access Service webpage, or contact the DSDHH Medicaid Communication Access Coordinator David Litman at David.Litman@dhhs.nc.gov or by telephone/VP at (984) 884-1093.
Medicaid Communication Access brochure
Pilot Program FAQs