HMO Guide for Seniors - Office of the Patient Advocate - State of ...

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If You Need Help in Your Language
Y
ou have the right to language assistance. Ask your Medicare
HMO to help you find doctors who speak your language.
Or ask for an interpreter. Ask for consent forms, prescription
drug information, and other instructions in your language.
Professional medical interpreters are trained to interpret health
information correctly. They must keep all your information
private. The interpreter may be in the same room with you
and the doctor, or may be on the telephone or a video screen.
“It is hard for my
son to translate
medical information
when he’s
worried about my
health. So I ask
for an interpreter
to be there, too.”
You have the right to an interpreter when you need to:
Tell your symptoms or medical history to your doctor.
Understand your health problem or treatment choices.
Understand instructions about medicines, medical equipment,
or follow-up care.
You and Your Doctor
Make sure that you and
your doctor understand
each other. If something
is not clear to you, repeat
it in your own words. If
you have an interpreter,
ask the interpreter to
translate your words
back to the doctor.
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