Patients have the right to:
- be treated with dignity and respect.
- fair treatment, regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, religious belief, sexual orientation, gender, age, health status, or source of payment for care.
- have their treatment and other patient information kept private. Only by law may records be released without patient permission.
- access care easily and in a timely fashion.
- a candid discussion about all their treatment choices, regardless of cost or coverage by their benefit plan.
- share in developing their plan of care.
- the delivery of services in a culturally competent manner.
- information about the organization, its providers, services, and role in the treatment process.
- information about provider work history and training.
- information about clinical guidelines used in providing and managing their care.
- know about advocacy and community groups and prevention services.
- freely file a complaint, grievance, or appeal, and to learn how to do so.
- know about laws that relate to their rights and responsibilities.
- know of their rights and responsibilities in the treatment process, and to make recommendations regarding the organization’s rights and responsibilities policy.
Patients have the responsibility to:
- treat those giving them care with dignity and respect.
- give providers the information they need, in order to provide the best possible care.
- ask their providers questions about their care.
- help develop and follow the agreed-upon treatment plans for their care, including the agreed-upon medication plan.
- let their provider know when the treatment plan no longer works for them.
- tell their provider about medication changes, including medications given to them by others.
- keep their appointments. Patients should call their providers as soon as possible if they need to cancel visits.
- let their provider know about their insurance coverage, and any changes to it.
- let their provider know about problems with paying fees.
- not take actions that could harm others.
- report fraud and abuse.
- openly report concerns about quality of care.
- let their provider know about any changes to their contact information (name, address, phone, etc).
Patients have the right and the responsibility to:
- understand and help develop plans and goals to improve their health.
