In today’s increasingly diverse communities, clinics and private practices are seeing more patients who speak little or no English. This has raised an important and sometimes confusing question: Is a clinic required to pay for an interpreter when a patient requests one?
The short answer is: Yes, if the clinic receives any form of federal funding.

Patients with Limited English Proficiency face significant barriers when accessing healthcare. Miscommunication can lead to poor health outcomes, missed diagnoses, and legal risk. Federal law recognizes this and mandates language access for LEP individuals in certain situations.
Under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act and reinforced by the Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities Final Rule (2024), any healthcare provider that receives federal financial assistance is required to provide and pay for qualified interpreter services when needed.
This includes:
-Clinics participating in Medicaid or CHIP
-Clinics billing for Medicare Part B services
-Facilities involved in Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Medicare Part D plans
-Any healthcare provider receiving grants from HHS or participating in ACA Marketplace plans

Using family members or minors as interpreters is strongly discouraged and often noncompliant, as it may compromise accuracy, privacy, and ethics.
Providing interpreter services isn’t just a legal obligation, it’s a commitment to quality care and equity. By ensuring LEP patients can fully understand their care, clinics protect themselves legally and help build trust in the communities they serve.
If you’re unsure whether your clinic qualifies under federal guidelines or how to set up interpreter services, consult with a healthcare compliance expert or legal advisor.

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