" an applicant can retain the interpreter herself for any given exam, so what def may believe or not believe is irrelevant if the applicant fails to advise def for each and every exam."
Bologna...this is pure bologna. Once you are on notice the Applicant needs an interpreter, you are on notice to provide an interpreter for EVERY medical-legal event.
The Applicant needs advise only once. Then, like the rest of the defense community your write French on the front of the file and in your computer notes, so the staff knows to schedule an interpreter. Maybe they have a friend who can interpret at regular physician visits, but for medical-legal evals, depositions and WCAB appearances, you are dead wrong.
This is the most ridiculous position I have ever seen. Applicant's offices gets dozens of appointment letters each week. I bet you didn't provide the notice of the AME in French so the Applicant could request an interpreter. Once an Applicant's office has had one event requiring an interpreter, we know you are on notice.
You owe the AME missed appointment charge if you had advanced knowledge of the language issue and failed to provide an interpreter.