cloudi

I recently took my sister to the doctor who is hearing impaired. We were able to get an interpreter at this visit which was paid by the state. We also requested the doctor to ask the insurance to pay for the interpreter for future visits. During the visit, while discussing the insurance paying the intrepreter, the interpreter informed the doctor that if the insurance doesn't pay the interpreter for future visits , she would be responsible.When the doctor heard this, she decided she did not want my sister for a patient anymore. As a matter of fact, she also refused to treat her that day. She told my sister she was sorry and then walked out......I am in the process of helping my sister submit a letter of complaint to the ADA....Does anybody have any advice to give my sister on how to proceed with this...We live in the state of Louisiana....

Deafness

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Opal

How cheeky, this doctor thinks money is more important than the health of your sister.

It shows this doctor is hopeless and cold heart.

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Dino65

.....Does anybody have any advice to give my sister on how to proceed with this...We live in the state of Louisiana....[/quote]

The doctor obviously violates the ADA law .. you need to contact the LA Commission for the Deaf and HH. Good luck

shel90

Wow..that is VERY unprofessional and big time discrimination right there. Sue her ass!!!

I have never experienced that so I cant give you any suggestions. I am sure there are other ADers with good advice. Good luck and keep me posted!

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~Shel~

LuciaDisturbed

The clinic is required by law to provide an interpreter for their deaf/hoh patients, and if insurance will not pay for one, then the clinic is still responsible anyway.

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DeviantArt

Eneles

You can probably also use the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) as a resource -- I know Kelby Brick's very much on top of legal issues (if it comes to litigation), and there are probably a number of people at the NAD that can direct you to more local resources to pursue first.

Dino65

I believe Kelby Brick has left his job at NAD but I am sure NAD is very useful resource anyway.

Eneles

Has he really? That's news to me... though I'll admit I haven't been much involved with the NAD in the past two years or so. Good to know, though. I guess that's part of the changing face at the NAD generally -- I know there have been several turnovers there recently.

Reba

That's right. Especially if the clinic receives any kind of Federal funding, such as Medicare or Medicaid. The clinic can lose its status as a Medicare/Medicaid provider if it turns down a Deaf patient just to save money on interpreters.

Doctors, clinics, and hospitals are supposed to accept the cost of interpreters just like any other cost of doing business, like paying the electric bill for the building, or buying ink for the printer. (I'm not comparing terps to those things; just explaining the business expenses of operating a clinic. )

The Justice Department is supposed to handle complaints of discrimination but I don't know how effecient they are.

Reba

I'm kind of surprised that the interpreter stepped out of role during the appointment and volunteered that information.

If the interpreting services were already paid for that day, I wonder why the doctor walked out?

Aside from the fact that the doctor is legally required to see and treat your sister, I don't know if I would feel comfortable going back to that same doctor if she has such a bad attitude. Going to a doctor is stressful enough, but going to a doctor that has a hostile attitude is even worse.

I hope your sister can get the good medical services that she needs.

Also, if you know which service provided the interpreter, you might want to have a chat with them about what happened.

Nesmuth

Kelby jumped ship because NAD has been fignting out of a $400,000 hole and their swords have been shortened to less than half it was earlier this year. NAD is useless this time.

Best solution is to file a complaint with the medical board. Get the Dr's license pulled.

Richard

mecooncat

I would fired the doctor for the way he/she treats her. I also would sue them. That's a no-no. I use to bitch about the clinic and hospital for not using my 711 relay service. They stated they can't use it because it's a toll call or it won't go thru. Yeah, right, kiss my tush! I was furious and filed complain about them. They finally straighten it out.

Kalista

You need to immediately contact this agency !! DBTAC Southwest ADA Center

I have the same situation as your sister. My doctor refused to provider an interpreter. I have a doctor for over 20 years. She thinks, writing the notes would be profit communication access. No way !! Medical terms are very important for the Deaf patients.

Please contact Disability Law Center in your state. Wow, your sister's doctor definetly broke ADA law !

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Kalista

That is why, many Deaf people went to E.R. instead of seeing the doctors due to lack of interpreters. E.R. defineitly provider an interpreters from the hospitals.

I can see why Deaf people are very furious and frustrated not able to understand with their medical doctors. Doctors or Attorneys would not provider an interpreter for the Deaf clients/patients.

I am so SICK of hearing this for years !! Itself ADA 1990's, it needs to be change new session for the specialist Deaf people (only) than rest of other disabilities.

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Hear Again

I don't think the ADA itself needs to be changed. Instead, doctors (and others in the medical profession) need to be *educated* about their responsibility to provide interpreters for the D/deaf/hoh/deafblind and that failing to do so is a violation of the law.

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Hear Again

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Deafblind/Postlingual

navyman

I suggest that you send a letter to the Dept of Justice (information on how to do so is located on their ADA website). However, be prepared to receive a letter from them stating they were unable to pursue action on your complaint due to insufficient resources. The letter will likely suggest you contact local and state legal agencies for assistance or to retain your own private legal counsel.

Since it is clear that your sister's ADA rights were violated, you may want to consider retaining private legal counsel if you can find an experienced disability lawyer who is willing to take your case on a contingent basis. This will probably be the fastest and most effective way to resolve this issue.

Fo'Shizzle

Hire a lawyer

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SpaceyUFO

What happened to your sister? Was it successed to make Clinic to have the bad name?

Animal_Lover

that doctor sure does break the law...

jillio

Got big news for dumbassed doctor. She is responsible for paying for the interpreter, the insurance company is not responsible. The insurance belongs to the deaf patient, and it is the doctor's responsibility to make sure htat her office is accessable to handicapped. That would be same as refusing patient in wheelchair treatment because she was on 2nd floor and no elevator! I agree with shel--sue her ass!!!! She is professional and should know better. What kind of doctor acts that way. One that doesn't give a damn about patients! Should have license jerked for bad attitude. I say report to Licensing Board and Peer Review Board for doctors in your state.

spainmale

i can help you to find about ADA.You must type Civil Right 1964 on yahoo search and you learn about laws.. Why not you call insurance company whether doctor accept or not..

gingerkate

A doctor here in Cincinnati informed a friend that "small practices" weren't required to provide interpreters, and she should go to the university hospital complex, where you get to sit and wait for hours.

sara1981

im been gone doctor's visit include family practice and neurology dr's office but im not ask for interpreter with me at doctor's office but my mom talk with doctor and my mom explain what dr says if my mom busy they i will intives interrupter with me to dr's office

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PowerON

well, cloudi? it been since Dec and you haven't saying anything after you get thing straight out? tell me? We're thrill to hear about your situation.

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deafmedicalpoet

does that clinic have social workers? I would demand to meet up with one and see what the heck they can do if not..sue that dr. I have had similair but with ER runs and I am pissed off.

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jillio

Depends on how small the practice is.

Chrysanthe