After almost three years of hard work by our union, the current delivery system with 6 brokers (down from 8) and 30 language agencies is ending!  

On Monday, June 24, the Health Care Authority (HCA) announced that they have signed a contract with a single company, CTS LanguageLink, to serve as their new coordinating entity for interpreting services. CTS LanguageLink was selected by HCA to cover both their two new service areas, western WA and eastern WA.  CTS LanguageLink will start accepting scheduling requests from medical providers within the next few weeks.  You can learn more about Vancouver-based CTS LanguageLink on their company website: www.ctslanguagelink.com. 

We’ve partnered with CTS LanguageLink and HCA to help streamline the transition and ensure uninterrupted work opportunities for you - and delivery of interpreter services to our clients.  Follow the steps below to make sure you're ready to work this July! 

Do you have unanswered questions about the tranisition?  Fact check the news you've gotten from colleagues about the transition by browsing our answers to commonly asked questions and rumors.

*********************

STEPS to CONTRACT with CTS LanguageLink for HCA/DSHS APPOINTMENTS

Complete and mail the following information to:

CTS LanguageLink
Attention: Interpreter Relations
911 Main Street, Suite 10
Vancouver, WA 98660

1.) Your valid Washington State Unified Business Identifier (UBI).  If you don't already have one, get instructions on applying for the $15 UBI here: http://bls.dor.wa.gov/file.aspx. 

2.) Copy of your DSHS certificate or authorization letter and your DSHS certificate/authorization number.

3.) Copy of a valid Driver’s License and vehicle insurance if you will be requesting mileage reimbursement.

4.) Copy of a signed DSHS Code of Ethics.

5.) Copy of a completed W-9 form.

6.) Copy of a current background check if one was not performed with the past year.  HCA’s current brokers will forward any background checks performed within the past year to CTS LanguageLink for you.  You can request a background check here: http://www.wsp.wa.gov/crime/chrequests.htm.

Once CTS LanguageLink starts in July, you are obligated to pay representation fees (.97%) or union dues (1.5%) of your gross pay earned at DSHS and Medicaid enrollee appointments, up to a maximum of $49.51 and $76.50 respectively.  Fees and dues are deducted automatically from your paycheck.  Read more about our incredible journey to win fair pay for interpreters (prior to 2011 most interpreters made $21 / hr or less) and stop middlmen from taking 42% or more per appointment (average of $26.90 / appt)!!  

Sign up as a union member today to ensure we continue winning good contracts, protecting our funding, as well as advocating for better policies for interpreters!  Only by working together can we advocate for a fairer appointment distribution!

NEWS FLASH: The State has agreed to NOT require every interpreter to buy general and professional liability insurance with million dollar policy limits!

These policies could have cost intepreters over $1500 a year, more than interpreters in some languages could earn at state appointments!  While we agree that this insurance could be important, we are pleased that HCA has agreed to not impose new economic requirements without bargaining those requirements with us and that could have jeapordized access to state services and health care for the people who need them. 

*********************

Do you have unanswered questions about the tranisition?  Fact check the news you've gotten from colleagues about the transition by browsing our answers to commonly asked questions and rumors.