Medical Interpreter Services

Servicios de Interpretación Médica

In 9 languages

LanguageTerm
EnglishMedical Interpreter Services
Spanish (Español) Servicios de Interpretación Médica
Chinese (中文) 医疗翻译服务
Korean (한국어) 의료 통역 서비스
Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) Dịch vụ thông dịch y tế
Filipino (Tagalog) Serbisyo ng Medikal na Tagapagsalin
Portuguese (Português) Serviços de Interpretação Médica
Thai (ภาษาไทย) บริการล่ามทางการแพทย์
Japanese (日本語) 医療通訳サービス

What it means

Medical interpreter services provide qualified language interpretation for patients with limited English proficiency during healthcare encounters. Under Section 1557 of the ACA, covered healthcare entities must provide free interpreter services — either in-person, by phone, or via video remote interpreting. Professional medical interpreters are trained in clinical terminology and ethics, unlike ad hoc interpreters such as family members or bilingual staff. Major language lines include Language Line Solutions and other telephonic interpretation services available at most hospitals.

Related terms

Related guide

→ US Guide: interpreter rights and language access

Sources

US Glossary Español A–Z US Codes United States

Last reviewed: September 2026