What's really going to happen this July?  Am I going to be able to pay my bills?  How will I get work?  I heard...

The current system is changing and we know there's a lot of fear - and excitement - as the transition process continues.  Below are most of the common questions and rumors we've heard in the past few weeks.  Our union is in almost daily contact with CTS LanguageLink and Health Care Authority to achieve our common goal of a smooth transition.  Please, if you hear something from another interpreter - check here first!  If you don't see your question, please write to us at [email protected].  If you've got the question, the odds are pretty good that so does another interpreter!

(You can also contact a Shop Steward!  Stewards are interpreters who are trained to help you with problems at work.  Read our list of current stewards here.)

• I haven't heard back from CTS LanguageLink.  How do I know I'm contracted with them?
• Do I need to provide CTS LanguageLink with fingerprints?  With a resume?
• Do I need to buy liability insurance?
• What will I be paid now?
• How will I get jobs?  I heard CTS LanguageLink doesn't have an electronic system and is actually going to call interpreters by phone to schedule appointments
• CTS LanguageLink's website states they're looking for interpreters nationally.  Is our work being outsourced?
• I heard CTS LanguageLink is planning to subcontract with existing agencies so the new system will be just like the current one.
• How can I sign up with CTS LanguageLink to provide telephonic or video remote interpreting services?
• A provider told me that they're thinking of leaving the program because they don't want to submit a written request every time they want an in-person interpreter.
• I heard the broker system is continuing after all.  When is CTS LanguageLink really going to start working?
• What happens when a doctor requests an interpreter on July 9th for after July 15th?  If I'm already scheduled to work after July 15th is this appointment going to get taken back?
• A language agency still owes me for services I provided earlier this year.  How will I get paid once the broker-agency system ends?

Rumors and Common Questions About
the End of the Broker System

I haven't heard back from CTS LanguageLink.  How do I know I'm contracted with them?

CTS LanguageLink is processing hundreds of requests from around the State and has asked for our patience.  Contact us directly if you have not heard from them after 2 weeks. 

Please make sure you've submitted a complete packet directly to CTS LanguageLink per the instructions available online.  CTS LanguageLink claims they've received many incomplete packets from interpreters. 

Do I need to provide CTS LanguageLink with fingerprints?  With a resume?

No.  Fingerprints are only required if you want to provide telephonic/video interpreters services to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through CTS LanguageLink.  This work is not coverd by our Union contract so your individual service fee agreement with LanguageLink applies.

CTS LanguageLink has always requested resumes from contractor interpreters.  They appreciate knowing the breadth of experience and certifications interpreters may posses.  This is an optional part of your contract with them and not required by CTS LanguageLink or Health Care Authority.  The resumes are not currently used as a basis for offering assignments.

Do I need to buy liability insurance?

• Almost no interpreters buy these plans and the State has paid for interpreter services for 2 decades without requiring this insurance. 
• Interpreter-specific liability insurance policies are expensive and hard to find.  These policies can cost more than interpreters for some languages earn in a year!
• Most court interpreters - who are also paid more than medical/social service interpreters - are still NOT required to have this insurance!

Whether or not this insurance is a worthwhile long term goal, the fact is the State needs to bargain with us over this change (they've refused) and demanding a sudden change in less than 2 weeks is risky.  Our Union is fighting back.  Join us in demanding that Health Care Authority STOP imposing costly and unncessary requirements that risk access to vital services for the people who need them!  Take action today: http://action.afscme.org/c/310/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4637

What will I be paid now?

Our union contract minimums still apply whenever you're working at DSHS or Medicaid enrollee appointments.  Our 2011-2013 Bargaining Team is negotiating right now over how to modify our contract to reflect the State's decision to add telephonic and video remote interpreting, including our compensation.  The only way we can continue to be strong at the bargaining table is by having a strong majority of interpreters signed up as union members.  Join our movement today! 

How will I get jobs?  I heard CTS LanguageLink doesn't have an electronic system and is actually going to call interpreters by phone to schedule appointments.

One of the key legislative requirements of replacing the curent system is for the new vendor(s) to have electronic scheduling capabilities.  CTS LangaugeLink absolutely is going to schedule interpreters using a centralized electronic system.  Stay tuned for training opportunities on using their system. 

We've also raised the critical issue of how appointments are distributed - including CSO block time appointments - with CTS LanguageLink, and they've assured us the process will be transparent.  CTS LanguageLink is still finalizing their paperwork with the State.  By the end of the June they expect to be ready to share the criteria for getting jobs and when jobs will be posted.  Our union's elected interpreter leaders have also already met with CTS LanguageLink staff to discuss programming possibilities in their electronic system.  CTS LanguageLink has expressed a strong interest in partnering with our Union in the very near future to get input from interpreters on appointment distribution.  Please sign up with our Union to get updates as we continue providing input on how to ensure fair access to work!!

CTS LanguageLink's website states they're looking for interpreters nationally.  Is our work being outsourced?

CTS LanguageLink has other client contracts nation-wide so their recruitment is global.  DSHS and Medicaid enrollee appointments in Washington, however, will go to WA state-certified or authorized interpreters working in Washington unless access to healthcare or state services is at risk.

I heard CTS LanguageLink is planning to subcontract with existing agencies so the new system will be just like the current one.

Thanks to the advocacy of interpreters through our Union, the Legislature required the Health Care Authority (HCA) to eliminate the current two-layered system for spoken language interpreter services.  CTS LanguageLink is prohibitted from subcontracting with language agencies for spoken language interpreter services.  We are disapointed to learn that CTS LanguageLink is subcontrating with SignOn to provide ASL interpreter services.  While we respect both companies, a two-layered system is exactly what we've been fighting against for years.  Unfortunately, ASL intepreters are not covered by our Union.

How can I sign up with CTS LanguageLink to provide telephonic or video remote interpreting services?

CTS LanguageLink has promised to provide instructions on what equipment and training is necessary for interpreters to get started providing services via the telephone or video if you want to do so.  Please sign up for our Union so you can get breaking updates as information becomes available.

A provider told me that they're thinking of leaving the program because they don't want to submit a written request every time they want an in-person interpreter.

Although the Health Care Authority originally proposed that appointments would default to telephonic and medical providers would have to submit written justification for why an in-person interpreter was preferred, thanks to our advocacy this is no longer the case.  After hundreds of telephone calls and emails from union members and concerned citizens, HCA decided to leave it up to requestors to choose - at the time of the initial request - which modality to request.  Our Union is working with the CTS LanguageLink and medical professional associations on educating medical providers on the equipment and training needed for various modalities.  Read the background of our critical campaign regarding remote interpreting.

I heard the broker system is getting continued after all.  When is CTS LanguageLink really going to start working?

CTS LanguageLink and Health Care Authority are still finalizing their agreement.  Until they finish the exact dates are tentative.  HCA has extended the broker contracts through July 31, 2012 so that medical providers can continue requesting interpreters through the end of July.  Starting around July 15, 2012, it's likely that all new requests for appts will have to to through CTS LanguageLink - not the broker/agencies.  We'll keep you updated!

What happens when a doctor requests an interpreter on July 9th for after July 15th?  If I'm already scheduled to work after July 15th is this appointment going to get taken back?

We have raised these timing questions with HCA for the past couple months, but do not have a specific answer yet.  Our general understanding from HCA is that when a request comes in prior to July 15th for an appointment occurring after July 15th but no later than July 31st, this appointment will be scheduled by the current broker/agencies.  Any requests coming in on or after July 15th will go to CTS LanguageLink for scheduling.  This appears to imply that doctors will have to wait until July 15 to request interpreters for appointments occuring after July 31, but again this is not confirmed with HCA.  We have requested that HCA notify medical providers soon about how to navigate this transition. 

A language agency still owes me for services I provided earlier this year.  How will I get paid once the broker-agency system ends?

Many interpreters are still owed for prior month's work.  We've raised this question with HCA and do not have a specific process from them yet to resolve this problem.  If you are missing payment for work prior to May 2012,  contact us as soon as possible so we can start raising the issue with HCA directly. 

To avoid future problems, please submit any outstanding vouchers as soon as possible!  Even if your language agency told you that it was "too late" to submit, please submit it and contact us if you are denied payment.  Although we don't have a specific number of days for the window, it's possible that HCA may honor the request for payment for an older voucher.