Language barriers should never prevent people from receiving adequate medical care or compensation. Health insurance translation is essential in the medical industry, and you can face legal fines over claim issues if you get it wrong.
Another importance of translation is it boosts your conversion rate by helping customers see and understand your services. You can see in this CSA study that 76% of prospective buyers prefer to patronize businesses in their native languages.
Top 4 Health Translation Requirements you should Consider
Besides avoiding legal fines, government laws make it mandatory for health insurance providers to translate their documents.
Today, we’ll discuss everything you must consider before translating your health insurance documents.
Find Out the Laws and Regulations in your State
The first step for health insurance companies looking to translate insurance documents is knowing their jurisdiction’s translation laws and regulations. No one-shoe-fits-all law exists, as translation policies vary from state to state and in each country.
You can check at your local government office to find out what’s applicable in your country or state.
In the US, all health insurance translations must comply with section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Section 1557 law prohibits any form of discrimination when translating health insurance documents. Discrimination based on race or ethnicity, sex, age, country of origin, disability, and color can warrant a seizure of the license to operate. This act helps to ensure all citizens have equal access to adequate health care.
Also, if you operate a health insurance company in the US, you must translate your legal documents into the top 15 languages in your state. You can preview this state-by-state list to know the languages you must translate in your state.
It is important to note that the ACA is a federal body, meaning each state will have its own regulations to follow.
Ensure Translations are Accurate
Inaccurate health insurance translations can lead to non-compliance due to misinterpretation. Poor translations can leave a dent in your reputation, giving you a bad name in the health industry.
To avoid these problems, ensure your translation is accurate. It’s not just about words; localization is essential, as well as design. Something as little as the fonts you use can ruin your translation because some fonts don’t go along with specific languages. This is especially true for non-English characters and symbols.
A good tip is to keep your design simple. Also, ensure you proofread health insurance translations before publishing.
Choose an Experienced Health Insurance Translator
A veteran birth certificate translator can be a poor health insurance translator. This isn’t because they’re bad at their job, but to accurately translate a document; the translator must be familiar with the industry.
You need a translator with an extensive track record in the health insurance industry if you want 100% accuracy.
Health insurance translators with experience in the field have a better understanding of the context and nuances of the medical industry. This advantage alone gives them a faster translation turnaround time than inexperienced translators.
Using Certified Translation Service Providers
An experienced translator isn’t enough. Ensuring the translation agency has the necessary accreditation is also crucial. There are many certifications for translation service providers, but here are the main two to look out for;
The American Translators Association (ATA)
ATA is the most prominent translator’s organization in the US. Members of the association pass through rigorous testing before receiving certification. The goal of the body is to propel translating professions and ensure the consistent development of its members.
Ask for the qualifications of the translation team working on your insurance documents. If they are all members of ATA, then you can be sure your documents are in safe hands.
International Organization of Standards (ISO17100) Accreditation
The ISO17100 is an international translation certification that ensures language service providers meet the global requirements and standards for top-quality translations.
Ensure the translation agency you want to work with has ISO17100 accreditation. Agencies must meet all international translation standards to gain accreditation.
Conclusion
Health security is a top priority, and language barriers shouldn’t prevent patients from receiving compensation. Hiring a professional health insurance translator ensures your customers get the best care possible.
If you have more questions regarding health insurance translation or want to translate your company’s documents, you can reach out to us today.
