Patient’s Rights and Responsibilities

The Patient’s Rights

Access to Care

• Receive services without regard to age, race, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, sex, national origin or sponsor;
• Exercise his or her rights without being subjected to discrimination or reprisal.

Respect and Dignity

• Be treated with consideration, respect and dignity, including privacy in treatment;
• Be free from all forms of abuse and harassment;
• Be informed of the services available at the Center.

Privacy and Confidentiality

• Privacy and confidentiality of all information and records pertaining to the patient’s treatment;
• Be notified of any breach of his/her protected health information;
• Request a health plan NOT be informed of any treatment provided that was paid for by him/her personally.

Participation in Care

• Be fully informed about a treatment or procedure and the expected outcome before it is performed;
• Receive from his/her physician information necessary to give Informed Consent prior to the start of any non-emergency procedure or treatment or both;
• Patients are provided, to the degree known, information concerning their diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and prognosis.  When it is medically inadvisable to give such information to a patient, the information is provided to a person designated by the patient or to a legally authorized person.

Advanced Directives

• Execute an Advanced Directive;
• Receive information explaining the Center’s DNR Advanced Directive.

Designated Representative

• Have a person appointed by the State to act on the patient’s behalf if the patient is adjudged incompetent.  If a state court has not adjudged a patient incompetent, any legal representative designated by the patient in accordance with state law may exercise the patient’s rights to the extent allowed by state law.

Refusal of Care

• Refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be fully informed of the medical consequences of his/her actions;
• Refuse to participate in experimental research.

Pain Management

• Receive pain management services.

Health Care Professionals

• Expect that any health care professional providing care maintains the appropriate credentials and is qualified through education and experience to carry out the duties for which he/she is responsible;
• Expect that all Medical Staff members and employees are covered under an appropriate professional liability policy;
• Change his/her provider if other qualified providers are available.

Communication

• Be informed of the provisions for after-hours and emergency care
• When the need arises, reasonable attempts are made for health care professionals and other staff to communicate in the language or manner primarily used by the patient
• Expect that the marketing or advertising regarding the competence and capabilities of the organization is not misleading
• Refuse to participate in communications for fundraising purposes

Access to the Medical Record

• Approve or refuse the release for disclosure of the contents of his/her medical record to any Health Care Practitioner and/or Health Care Facility except as required by law or third-party payment contract
• Access his/her medical record pursuant to the provisions of the law
• Refuse disclosure of protected health information regarding psychotherapy and/or for use in marketing

Financial

• Be informed of the charges for services, eligibility for third-party reimbursements and, when applicable, the availability of free or reduced-cost care
• Receive an itemized copy of his/her account statement, upon request

Grievances

• Be assured that all suggestions and concerns will be reviewed and/or investigated by the management team
• Suggestions, concerns and/or grievances may be filed without fear of reprisal with:
  • any staff member or the management team;
  • the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care at (847) 853-6060;
  • the Central Hospital Program at the New York State Department of Health at (800) 804-5447;
  • the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at
    www.medicare.gov/claims-and-appeals/medicare-rights/get-help/ombudsman.html

The Patient’s Responsibilities

Provision of Information

• Provide complete and accurate information to the best of his/her ability about his/her health, any medications (prescription, over-the-counter products, dietary and herbal supplements) and any allergies or sensitivities
• Ask all questions you may have regarding the treatment provided by the Center;
• Inform his/her provider about any living will, medical power of attorney or other Advanced Directive that could affect his/her care

Respect and Consideration

• Be respectful of all the healthcare providers and staff, as well as other patients and the property of others at the Center
• Keep appointments as scheduled, or advise the Center if the appointment cannot be kept
• Observe all the Center’s Policies, Rules and Regulations

Treatment Plan

• Consent by free will to all procedures
• Contact his/her physician with post-testing questions or concerns
• Follow the treatment plan provided by his/her provider
• Tell us if you do not understand procedures or instructions
• Provide a responsible adult to transport him/her home from the facility and remain with him/her for 24 hours as recommended by his/her physician

Financial

• Provide all necessary information regarding third-party payment sources
• Accept personal financial responsibility for any charges not covered by his/her insurance