Scheduling an interpreter

Thank you for working with interpreters to help members who speak a language other than English. Below, you will find needed forms and information about how to schedule interpreters. If you have any questions, please call Provider Customer Service at 800-224-4840, option 3. 

Forms needed for interpretation

• IRCO interpreter request form (OHP and Medicare)
• Linguava interpreter request form (OHP and Medicare)
• Passport to Languages interpreter request form (OHP and Medicare)

Resources for providers

To help ensure members get the interpretation services that are right for their needs, we’ve created materials you can place in your office: 

• A tool your staff can use to help members identify their preferred language: Language Identification Tool 
• A Language Access Poster you can place on your clinic wall that informs members that interpretation is free and their right: 11x17 | 12x23 (sandwich board size)
• A one-pager that discusses how to schedule an interpreter for your patient: 1- pager on Scheduling with an Interpreter
• You may also want to make these Oregon Health Authority “I speak” cards available to your patients. The cards can be easily carried and used to help individuals request interpretation services whenever they need them: OHA “I speak” cards
• We’ve also put together some support materials to help you print and use the patient interpretation aids: FAQs and printing instructions

Information from our provider manual

Interpretation

All contracted CareOregon providers must make interpretation services available to CareOregon members.

Interpretation must be available during and after hours for consultation and provision of care.

Interpretation should be provided by certified or qualified interpreters who can be staff or a CareOregon-approved interpretation service either on site or over the telephone. Interpretation should not be provided by a member of the patient's family.

CareOregon’s interpretative services cover the following occurrences:

• Onsite medical appointments
• Appointment reminders
• Scheduling or rescheduling appointments
• Relaying test results
• Registration for procedures/admissions

CareOregon pays for interpretation services for members’ medical appointments for covered services through our preferred vendors at no cost to the provider or member.

CareOregon approved interpretation vendors:

• IRCO
• Linguava
• Passport to Languages (PTL)

To arrange for an interpreter to be present during an appointment, complete the CareOregon Interpreter Request form (links above).

Fax the form to the interpretation vendor at least two business days before the appointment:

• Linguava: 503-954-1038
• PTL: 503-297-1703

Providers can also access these vendors’ online systems to request and confirm an interpreter through an online portal:

• IRCO: irco.org/ilb
• Linguava: portal.linguava.com/Account/Login
• PTL: passporttolanguages.com

The provider’s office will receive a fax or email from the interpretation vendor to confirm that interpreter arrangements are complete.

For urgent needs (less than 48-hour notice), call to arrange for an interpreter.

• Linguava Customer Service: 503-265-8515
• PTL Customer Service: 503-297-2707
• IRCO Customer Service: 503-505-5187

IMPORTANT: Providers may choose to coordinate interpretation services themselves instead of through CareOregon. If so, the provider will be responsible for paying for interpretation services. CareOregon only pays for interpretation services coordinated through our approved vendors.