On May 22nd, Healthesystems attended the Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation (DoWC) stakeholder meeting, where the rising cost of interpretation services – now surpassing prescription drug expenses – was the key topic of discussion.

While no formal changes to the medical fee schedule rules have been proposed, the discussion focused on a potential shift: discontinuing reimbursement for Qualified Spanish Interpreters while continuing to support Certified Spanish Interpreters as the preferred providers.

The DoWC emphasized that as interpreter costs now exceed those of prescription drugs, investing in high-quality language services is essential. The goal is to enhance service quality, not limit access.

Stakeholders raised concerns about interpreter availability, pointing to appointment cancellations and urging the DoWC to gather stronger data on active interpreters before implementing any changes. In response, the DoWC reassured attendees that maintaining access remains a priority. They confirmed that insurance carriers are still responsible for securing certified interpreters and noted that doing so has not posed a challenge.

With stakeholder feedback gathered, the DoWC will continue evaluating next steps before issuing any formal rule proposals.