Navigating Regulatory Shifts in Language Access: Insights from AMN Healthcare’s Webinar

Language access improves patient outcomes, ensures regulatory compliance, and enhances efficiency. Recent federal regulatory changes represent its growing importance. A webinar by AMN Language Services, featuring legal experts and leaders from Intermountain Health, Main Line Health, and Catholic Health, discussed these shifts and how language access supports health equity, finances, and patient care. This blog outlines key takeaways and practical tips for healthcare leaders. Readers can access the webinar on-demand here.

Understanding New Federal Regulations Affecting Language Access

The webinar focused on how recent U.S. executive orders and policy changes affect language access in healthcare. Legal expert Drew Stevens explained the updates and their implications.

Impact of Federal Executive Orders

The U.S. government made changes to how institutions handle limited English proficiency (LEP) patient needs by updating or removing previous executive orders. Key points include:

• Language Access Policies: An executive order from the year 2000 aimed at improving services for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) has been overturned, leaving language access decisions to individual agencies. However, the 2003 LEP Guidelines are still relevant and have not been formally rescinded.
• Affordable Care Act (Section 1557): Rules on nondiscrimination and language access under Section 1557 remain in effect until new regulations are finalized.
• Medicaid Funding: Possible Medicaid cuts may reduce resources for interpretation and translation services at the state level.

Clarifications on Enforcement Activity

Some executive orders may reduce focus on enforcing unintentional discrimination claims, like disparate impact. However, healthcare organizations must still meet federal, state, local, and accreditation standards, such as those from The Joint Commission, to ensure fair and equitable care.

The bottom line for administrators: Keep Title VI and ACA compliance a priority to avoid legal risks and support health equity. For details about maintaining section 1557, access our  .

Language Access as a Success Driver

Language access programs encourage better patient care and operational efficiency.

Leaders from Intermountain Health, Catholic Health, and Mainline Health highlighted how effective language services improve care, save money, and promote equity.

Financial Benefits of Language Access

Reducing Readmissions and Length of Stay 

• Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) without interpreters face 4% higher readmission rates, costing an average of $15,200 per case. Providing interpreters can prevent these costs.
• LEP patients without interpreter support stay in hospitals 5 days longer on average. Accurate communication shortens stays, reduces costs, and eases staffing challenges.

Tying Language Access to KPIs

Carlos Martinez-Morales from Intermountain Health improved compliance with interpretation service documentation from 30% to 89% by linking it to wider system KPIs. This approach showed regulatory compliance and highlighted the value of investing in language services.

Language Access Goes Beyond Compliance

Health equity goals are both a mission and a metric for many health systems:

• Catholic Health is exploring correlations between language services and reduced readmissions. This is a tangible patient and financial benefit of comprehensive interpretation offerings.
• Mainline Health aligned metrics like safety and patient satisfaction with access to quality translation services. For example, they used language-based data to identify gaps in care.

Takeaway: Language access programs, when designed strategically, can mitigate operational risks, enhance patient satisfaction, and contribute to financial sustainability.

Leveraging Technology for Seamless Language Access

One of the standout solutions discussed during the webinar was the role of technology in overcoming barriers to equitable care. With rapid advancements in digital health tools, healthcare providers can now integrate language services directly into clinical workflows for better efficiency and outcomes.

Purpose-Built Solutions for Healthcare

Healthcare-exclusive language technology simplifies interpretation and translation:

• Video Remote Interpreting (VRI): AMN Language Services highlighted the value of VRI, enabling instant access to professional interpreters. This is especially impactful in critical care scenarios requiring immediate action.
• EMR Integration: Tools seamlessly embedded into electronic medical records reduce the manual workload. Catholic Health’s ongoing project to integrate language services with EPIC is expected to streamline provider workflows and improve documentation.
• Accessibility Across Diverse Environments: Device-agnostic platforms and low-bandwidth functionality enhance service reach, even in rural or underserved areas.

Takeaway: Technology investments should focus on tools that support seamless workflows, fast access, and advanced reporting capabilities.

Actionable Recommendations for Healthcare Leaders

The webinar concluded with steps health systems can take to advance their language access programs. VP Client Experience at AMN Language Services, Matt Fidler, summarized the recommendations:

1. Re-Commit to Compliance

Ensure that policies reflect the requirements of Title VI and Section 1557. Conduct internal audits, putting yourself in the patients' shoes, to identify gaps in interpreter availability or documentation and prioritize staff training to address these issues.

2. Champion Technology Integration

You don’t need to recreate the wheel. Adopt scalable, compliant, and efficient tools that integrate with existing systems. Seek software that accommodates budgetary constraints while delivering reliable solutions.

3. 3. Measure Impact with Data

Use analytics to demonstrate the ROI of language services. Monitor readmissions, length of stay, and patient satisfaction metrics to pinpoint areas of improvement and secure institutional buy-in for resources.

By focusing on these strategies, healthcare leaders can meet immediate challenges and build scalable, sustainable programs that enhance health equity and patient experiences. Watch the on-demand webinar for a deeper dive, or reach out to us to explore how a customized language access program can benefit your team and patients.