Language Services

At Florida Heart & Vascular Surgery Center, we are committed to providing equal access to high-quality healthcare for all patients, regardless of their language or communication needs. To ensure clear and effective communication, we offer a variety of language services to assist patients who have limited English proficiency (LEP) or require sign language interpretation. Our language services comply with CMS and AHCA regulations to guarantee accessibility for all individuals.

Free Language Assistance

We provide free language assistance services to all patients and their companions who need help understanding medical information. These services are available at no cost and are designed to help you communicate effectively with your healthcare providers during your visit.

Our language assistance services include:

• Qualified Medical Interpreters: We offer qualified interpreters for patients who prefer to communicate in a language other than English. Interpreters are available both in-person and through telephone or video interpretation services.

• American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters: For patients who are deaf or hard of hearing, we provide qualified ASL interpreters. Please notify us in advance of your appointment so that we can arrange for these services.

• Translated Materials: Important medical documents, including consent forms, instructions, and discharge information, are available in multiple languages. These materials are translated by certified professionals to ensure accuracy.

• Telephonic Interpretation: If an in-person interpreter is not available, we offer real-time interpretation over the phone in more than 200 languages. This service is available 24/7 to ensure that all patients have access to language support when needed.

Languages Offered

Our interpretation and translation services cover a Florida's Top 15 Languages:

Florida Top 15 Non- English Languages

​

Spanish                                                Español

French Creole                                     Créole français

Vietnamese                                         Tiếng Việt

Portuguese                                          português

Chinese                                               中國人 Zhōngguó rén

French                                                  français

Tagalog                                                Tagalog

Russian                                                 Русский russkiy

Arabic                                                   ربى

Italian                                                    Italiano

German                                                Deutsche

Korean                                                  한국어 hangug-eo

Polish                                                    Polskie

Gujarati                                                 คุชราต

                                                               Khu chrā t

Thai                                                         ไทย

                                                                 Thịy

If your preferred language is not listed here, please contact us in advance so that we can accommodate your needs.

How to Request Language Assistance

If you or a family member requires language assistance during your visit to our center, please let us know when scheduling your appointment or upon arrival. We will coordinate the appropriate services to ensure that you can communicate effectively with our medical team.

You can request language services in the following ways:

• Call us: Contact our scheduling department at 863-937-7232 and let us know your language needs in advance of your appointment.

• At your appointment: Inform our staff at check-in that you require language assistance, and we will arrange for an interpreter or other services immediately.

Rights Under CMS and AHCA

Under CMS and AHCA regulations, patients with limited English proficiency or hearing impairments have the right to free language assistance when receiving healthcare services. This ensures that language barriers do not prevent patients from understanding their medical condition, treatment options, or rights.

As part of our commitment to compliance, we ensure that:

• Qualified Interpreters: All interpreters used at our center meet the qualifications required by CMS and AHCA to ensure that they can accurately and effectively communicate complex medical information.

• Written Translations: Essential documents such as consent forms, discharge instructions, and patient education materials are provided in multiple languages to meet the needs of our diverse patient population.

• Non-Discrimination: We do not discriminate based on national origin, language, or hearing ability. All patients are entitled to receive care that is accessible, respectful, and effective, regardless of their communication needs.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

Florida Heart & Vascular Surgery Center complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. We provide free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as:

• Qualified sign language interpreters

• Written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats, etc.)

Additionally, we provide language services free of charge to people whose primary language is not English, including:

• Qualified interpreters

• Information written in other languages

For more information, or if you believe that we have failed to provide appropriate language services, please contact our compliance office at 863-937-7232 or email contact@flheartvascular.com.

Your Rights

You have the right to receive healthcare services in a language you understand. If at any time during your care you feel that you do not understand the information being provided, please ask for an interpreter or other language assistance. We are here to ensure that your healthcare experience is clear, respectful, and informative.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is there a cost for language services?
No, language assistance services are provided free of charge to all patients and their families.

2. How do I request an interpreter?
You can request an interpreter by informing our staff when you schedule your appointment or when you arrive for your procedure. We will ensure that the necessary arrangements are made.

3. What if I need sign language interpretation?
We offer qualified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters for patients who are deaf or hard of hearing. Please notify us in advance so we can schedule the service for your appointment.

4. Are documents available in my language?
Yes, we provide essential documents such as consent forms, medical instructions, and patient education materials in multiple languages. Please ask our staff if you need materials in your preferred language.

CMS and AHCA Compliance

This Language Services policy aligns with CMS and AHCA requirements to ensure that patients with limited English proficiency or hearing impairments have equal access to healthcare services.

CMS Compliance: Our center provides free, qualified interpreters and translated materials to ensure that all patients can understand their medical care, as required by CMS guidelines for LEP individuals and patients with disabilities.

AHCA Compliance: We comply with AHCA regulations that require healthcare facilities to offer language assistance and make necessary accommodations for patients who speak languages other than English or require sign language interpretation.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about our language services or need assistance, please contact us at 863-937-7232 or email contact@flheartvascular.com. Our team is here to help you get the care and information you need in the language that is most comfortable for you.