The Board of Commissioners approved a contract on Oct. 6 for the health department to use Heartland Interpretation and Translation Services, a HIPAA-compliant medical translation vendor, at a stated rate of $1.30 per minute.

Health department staff described the service as faster and substantially less expensive than the department's previous vendor (referred to as Globo). “This is a new translation service that is much needed for us. It's a considerably amount cheaper than Glovo. It also is HIPAA compliant and certified medical compliant,” the health department representative said. Staff noted the service can provide virtual interpretation in offices within about 10 seconds.

A commissioner moved and the board approved the contract by voice vote. The transcript records the per-minute rate ($1.30) and the presenter's comment that the service is almost $0.99 cheaper per minute than the prior vendor.