Patient Rights

A patient has the right to know what facility rules and regulations apply to his or her conduct as a patient. A patient has the right to have emergency procedures done without unnecessary delay. A patient has the right to good quality care and high professional standards that are continually maintained and reviewed.

What are the patient rights and dignity?

To courtesy, respect, dignity, and timely, responsive attention to his or her needs. To receive information from their physicians and to have opportunity to discuss the benefits, risks, and costs of appropriate treatment alternatives, including the risks, benefits, and costs of forgoing treatment.

A patient has the right to care without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, or source of payment. 15. A patient has the right to be given information in a manner that he or she can understand.

Information Disclosure

Patients have the right to receive accurate, easily understood information to help them make informed decisions about their health plans, professionals, and facilities.

Access to Emergency Services

Consumers have the right to access emergency health care services when and where the need arises.

Participation in Treatment Decisions

Consumers have the right and responsibility to fully participate in all decisions related to their health care. Consumers who are unable to fully participate in treatment decisions have the right to be represented by parents, guardians, family members, or other conservators.

Respect and Nondiscrimination

Consumers have the right to considerate, respectful care from all members of the health care system always and under all circumstances. An environment of mutual respect is essential to maintain a quality health care system.

Consumers must not be discriminated against in the delivery of health care services consistent with the benefits covered in their policy or as required by law.

Consumers who are eligible for coverage under the terms and conditions of a health plan or program or as required by law must not be discriminated against in marketing and enrollment practices based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, or source of payment.

Confidentiality of Health Information

Consumers have the right to communicate with health care providers in confidence and to have the confidentiality of their individually identifiable health care information protected. Consumers also have the right to review and copy their own medical records and request amendments to their records.

Complaints and Appeals

All consumers have the right to a fair and efficient process for resolving differences with their health plans, health care providers, and the institutions that serve them, including a rigorous system of internal review and an independent system of external review.

Consumer Responsibilities

In a health care system that protects consumers’ rights, it is reasonable to expect and encourage consumers to assume reasonable responsibilities. Greater individual involvement by consumers in their care increases the likelihood of achieving the best outcomes and helps support a quality improvement, cost-conscious environment.

You as a consumer can make a significant contribution in these key areas:

• Maximize healthy habits e.g., exercising, not smoking, and eating healthy diet.
• Become involved in care decisions.
• Work collaboratively with providers in developing and carrying out agreed-upon treatment plans.
• Disclose relevant information and clearly communicate wants and needs.
• Become knowledgeable about coverage and health plan options, including covered benefits, limitations, and exclusions, rules regarding use of network providers, coverage and referral rules, appropriate processes to secure additional information, and process to appeal coverage decisions. This information is in your plan brochure.
• Show respect for other patients and health workers.
• Make a good-faith effort to meet financial obligations.