Deaf patients have rights during doctor visits

[Miss-Delectable]

http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.cfm?action=detail&pk=DISABILITY-LIVING-04-21-06

The Americans with Disabilities Act mandates a health care professional to provide and pay for a sign language interpreter for deaf patients.

If the patient is a minor child with normal hearing, an interpreter would still be required for the parent who is deaf, assuming the parent has requested an interpreter.

However, the health care professional ultimately decides whether an interpreter is necessary. To help with the decision, the U.S. Department of Justice has issued technical guidance encouraging consultation between the physician and the deaf person or the parent.

A patient may bring his own interpreter for the office visit without prior notice; however, the physician is not obligated to accept that unilateral decision by the patient. The health care professional must be given the opportunity to consult with the patient and assess the situation. And the physician would certainly not be obligated to pay for the uninvited interpreter.

To ease the situation, request the interpreter at the time the appointment is scheduled. It may take several days for the physician to coordinate the services of an interpreter.

A family member or friend may also act as the interpreter. However, that person may not be suitable if emotional involvement or lack of confidentiality adversely affects his ability to interpret the medical information.

If all else fails, and the doctor absolutely refuses to provide an interpreter, then one or more of the following avenues may be appropriate:

_ File a written complaint with the civil rights division or other appropriate section of your state attorney general's office. Alternatively, initiate an investigation with the U.S. Department of Justice by writing a letter to: Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, P. O. Box 66738, Washington, D.C. 20035-6738.

_ The Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services may also be contacted. Since most physicians receive payments from Medicare or Medicaid, they are covered by Sec. 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability.

_ And of course, as a last resort, a lawsuit may also be filed against the health care professional. But watch out for filing deadlines in the case of the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act or your state law.

 

[Deaf Images]

Follow example of Rosa Parks...



That is a good advice! Keep pressuring those doctors to do their part in securing interpreters for your appointments! I have seen a lot of complaints from those doctors. They whine and cry over a measly interpreting bill. They have mansions, fancy cars, exclusive memberships, etc. Not all can reach there, but the bottom line - they can afford it as business expense if and when they hire interpreter. They need to consult with tax attorney and IRS to look into that kind of provision.

I cannot believe how stoopid doctors are. Everytime I was on the horn debating with them (former deaf service coordinator) -- I tell them to ask tax attorney or IRS to look into it. I was definitely sure there was a law that allows them to get tax break. Sheesh! It is not a hard thing to do!

I can tell you horror stories about some doctors. They were even rude to the point of dropping deaf clients when we persisted about ADA. Just follow the wheels of justice and of course, it is slow, but you will get there. The more Deaf makes noises, the more better chances for our lives to be better.

We do not have to suffer and be "polite". Just follow example of Rosa Parks who refused to give up a seat to a white man. She did the right thing by refusing it. She had a divine right to sit there and stay there as long she wished.

Same thing, we need to act like Rosa Parks and demand equal access to communications!

It is all defined and spelled out in the United States Consitution, Bill of Rights and ADA!!!

It is YOU that you need to get off your butt and get involved in protecting the rights of Deaf community.

It takes a Deaf village to protect the rights of a Deaf person!

Audism spreads while good Deaf people do nothing!

 

[dstew2xx]

"That is a good advice! Keep pressuring those doctors to do their part in securing interpreters for your appointments! I have seen a lot of complaints from those doctors. They whine and cry over a measly interpreting bill. They have mansions, fancy cars, exclusive memberships, etc. Not all can reach there, but the bottom line - they can afford it as business expense if and when they hire interpreter. They need to consult with tax attorney and IRS to look into that kind of provision."


So that is really how you want to portray yourself? Does the world owe you something because you are deaf? Is dispariging doctors or any other group who doesn't act as you would like them to really a way to advance your cause? I am assuming you are of the opinion then, that doctors or anybody else providing you a service should have to pay to provide you that service? Despite what you think, long gone are the days when physicians lived in mansions, and drove fancy cars, etc as you claim. It is not uncommon, for the interpreting bill to exceed the reimursement for the services rendered. In other words the doctor is paying for you to be there. Listen to the counsel given to physicians with regards to treating deaf patients.

"It is normally the physician's obligation to pay for the interpreter unless it can be shown that the cost would impose an undue burden on the physician. The financial resources of both parties and the impact of the cost on the practice are relevant. The cost of the interpreter may exceed your charges for that patient's care, but this alone does not constitute an undue burden. The ultimate decision maker may be a court, so it is safe to err on the side of absorbing the cost. Some physicians have an interpreter in the office regularly, such as one-half day per week, and try to schedule appointments with hearing-impaired patients during this time."

Notice the phrase it is safer to err on the side of just absorbing the cost. That is there because of individuals who are very confrontational and threaten to sue. While you may be frustrated with all the inherent difficulties caused by your being deaf, is it really the responsibility of others to make sure life is easier for you? Of course we all have empathy for one another and most are willing to help; however to expect that everybody should just cater to any group or idividual just because of the their circumstances is in my humble opinion short-sided. No you did not chose your disability, nor did I choose mine. Nobody chooses to have the various ailments we all have but to coherce others into submission is not the answer. While there is no one more sympathetic to all those who have disabilities of any nature, I have observed that the sense of entitlement in this country has largely destroyed the good will of its citizens. Enacting laws requiring individuals to care for one another, breeds feelings of contempt and bitterness. It encourages discrimination and fosters animosity amongst individuals.

Instead of disparaging doctors, you might want to present an attitude of gratitude. You will find it will get you a lot farther. You have stated that you do not appreciate whinning doctors, and I am sure that you have encounted some who are less then sympathetic. On the other hand there are plenty of deaf patients, who are ungrateful, demanding and downright rude as well. It is a two way street. I appreciate you enthusiasm in trying to educate all to your cause but I fear your attitude about it, leaves something to be desired.