Patient Info

Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibility

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO:

• A healthcare provider who will ensure ongoing, high-quality care.
• To receive care regardless of source of payment, including information on how to obtain insurance if needed.
• To receive care in a safe, sanitary environment.
• Competent, considerate and respectful health care, regardless of race, financial status, creed, age, sex or sexual orientation.
• A second medical opinion from the physician of your choice, at your expense.
• A complete, easily understandable explanation of your condition, treatment and chances for recovery.
• The right to review and copy their own medical records, by appointment, and request amendments to their records, in accordance with State and Federal guidelines.
• To determine who outside our office shall have access to your medical information, e.g. spouse, children.
• To communicate with health care provider in confidence and to have the confidentiality of your health care information protected.
• To communicate with your physician for clinical advice 24/7, when appropriate, understanding that this may mean being called back at the end of the day or evening in non-urgent matters
• Information about the medical consequences of exercising your right to refuse treatment.
• Information necessary to make an informed decision about any treatment or procedure, except as limited in an emergency situation.
• An individualized treatment plan.
• To fully participate in treatment decisions or to be represented by parents, guardians, family members or other conservators.
• An explanation of your medical bill through our office, regardless of your insurance and the opportunity to personally examine your bill.
• The opportunity to file a complaint should a dispute arise regarding care, treatment, service or to select another physician.
• Access to your medical records.

 

PATIENT RESPONSIBILITIES ARE:

• Giving your clinician correct and complete health history information, e.g. allergies, past and present illnesses, medications and hospitalizations, any herbal, over-the-counter medications or vitamins you are taking.  Update them of any of the above changes.
• Provide staff with current and complete insurance information, including any secondary insurance, each time you see your provider.
• Provide staff with your current address, phone number. Also provide an emergency contact in case of emergencies.
• To understand that it is not good medical practice to call antibiotics and pain medications into the pharmacy without being evaluated.  To understand that you will need to be seen for an initial evaluation for your particular problem before these medicines will be prescribed.
• Signing a “Release of Information” form when asked so your provider can get medical records from other clinicians involved in your care.
• Informing other providers and outside facilities of your primary care physician for continuity of care.
• Become involved in specific health care decisions, ask questions when you do not understand your illness, treatment plan or medication instructions.
• Take responsibility for maximizing healthy habits, such as exercising, not smoking and eating a healthy diet.
• To allow us at least one week’s advance notice for prescription refills.  To call the pharmacy, not the physician to see if the prescription is ready.
• Avoid knowingly spreading disease.
• Recognize the reality of risks and limits of the science of medical care and the human fallibility of the health care provider.
• Become knowledgeable about his/her health plan coverage, including: all covered benefits, limitations, exclusions, use of network providers, referral rules, and amount of co-pay.
• Paying co-payments at the time of the visit or other bills upon receipt.
• Show respect for the provider, health care workers and other patients.
• Keeping your appointments.  If you must cancel your appointment, please call us at least 24 hours in advance.
• Being on time for your appointments.  If you are more that 15 minutes late for your appointment, it may be necessary for you to reschedule.