Patient's Bill of Rights and Responsibilities

Patient Rights

A PATIENT and their HEALTH CARE SURROGATE HAS THE RIGHT TO:

• Be treated with courtesy and respect, with appreciation of his/her dignity, and with protection of privacy.
• Receive care in a safe setting by qualified staff.
• Be free of all abuse and harassment.
• Receive a prompt and reasonable response to questions and requests.
• Know who is providing medical services and is responsible for his/her care.
• Know what patient support services or ADA devices are available, including an interpreter.
• Know what rules and regulations apply to his/her conduct.
• Bring any person to the patient-accessible areas to accompany while receiving care or consulting with their health care provider, unless doing so would be a safety risk, or cannot be reasonably accommodated by the facility or provider.
• Be given by the health care provider information such as diagnosis, planned course of treatment, alternatives, risks, and prognosis.
• Refuse any treatment, except as otherwise provided by law.
• Be given full information and necessary counseling on the availability of known financial resources for care.
• Know whether the health care provider or facility accepts the Medicare assignment rate, if the patient is covered by Medicare.
• Receive prior to treatment, as a reasonable estimate of charges for medical care.
• Receive a copy of an understandable itemized bill and, if requested, to have the charges explained.
• Receive medical treatment or accommodations, regardless of race, national origin, religion, handicap, or source of payment.
• Receive treatment for any emergency medical condition that will deteriorate from failure to provide treatment.
• Know if medical treatment is for purposes of experimental research and to give his/her consent or refusal to participate in such research.
• Voice complaints without reprisal.
• Express complaints regarding any violation of his/her rights.
• Right to choose or refuse a provider, and right to change providers if other qualified providers are available.
• Choose the facility to receive health care services.
• Be informed about the facilities advance directives policy which does not honor a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) request/directive. Patient will be administered life saving care and transferred to a higher level of care as required by prevailing laws and regulations.

Patient Responsibilities

A PATIENT and HEALTH CARE SURROGATE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR:

• Giving the health care provider accurate information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and any other information about his/her health.
• Reporting unexpected changes in his/her condition to the health care provider.
• Reporting to the health care provider whether he/she understands a planned course of action and what is expected of him/her.
• Following the treatment plan recommended by the health care provider.
• Keeping appointments and, when unable to do so, notifying the health care provider or facility.
• His/her actions if treatment is refused or if the patient does not follow the health care provider's instructions.
• Respecting the physicians and staff as appropriate.
• Making sure financial responsibilities are carried out.
• Following health care facilities conduct rules and regulations.
• Have a responsible adult to provide transportation, and remain with them as directed by the physician and/or discharge instructions.

Questions or Complaints

Do you have any Concerns or Complaints?

Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman (MBO)

The role of the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman is to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries receive the information and help you need to understand your Medicare options and to apply your Medicare rights and protections.

Website | 1-800-MEDICARE

Contact Medicare

If you are covered by Medicare, you may choose to contact the Medicare Ombudsman by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) online at www.Medicare.gov or Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman (MBO) | CMS.

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