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You have the right to:
- Voice your opinion about
the care provided and to recommend changes in policies and
services by contacting your health care provider.
- Be provided with information
about the organization and its services.
- Participate in decisions
about your health care and treatment plan.
- Be treated with respect
and dignity.
- Receive from your health
care provider complete information about your diagnosis and
proposed procedure or treatment alternative, including non-treatment,
in order to give informed consent.
- Refuse any procedure or
treatment if you so do desire and to the extent permitted
by law, be told what effect this may have on your health.
- Receive full consideration
of privacy or confidentiality with regard to all information
and records about your care.
- Know the cost (co-payment,
deductible, coinsurance) or care and treatment and receive
an explanation of your financial obligation when required.
- Have 24-hour access to
your health care provider or covering physician.
PATIENTS RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Know the benefits and
exclusions of your coverage.
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- Provide your health care
provider with complete and accurate health information.
- Follow the treatment plan
agreed upon by you and your health care provider.
- Contact your health care
provider for any care needed after-hours or for any questions
and assistance.
- Know how to access health
care services in routine, urgent, and emergency situations.
PATIENT BILL OF RIGHTS
The American Medical Association’s
Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs considers the following
patients’ rights to be fundamental:
- The patient has the
right to receive information from physician and to discuss
the benefits, risks, and cost of appropriate treatment
alternatives. Patients
receive guidance from their physicians as to the optimal
course of action.
Patients also are entitled to obtain copies or summaries
of their medical records, to have their questions answered,
to be advised of potential conflicts of interest that their
physicians might have and to receive independent professional
opinions.
The patient has the right to make decisions regarding the
health care that is recommended by his or her physician.
Accordingly, patients may accept or refuse any recommended
medical treatment.
The patient has the right to courtesy, respect, dignity, responsiveness,
and timely attention to his or her needs.
The patient has the right to confidentiality. The physician
should not reveal confidential communications or information
without the consent of the patient, unless provided for by
law or by need to protect the welfare of the individual or
the public interest.
The patient has the right to continuity of health care. The
physician has an obligation to cooperate in the coordination
of medically indicated care with other health care providers
treating the patient. The physician may not discontinue,
treatment of a patient as long as further treatment is medically
indicated, without giving the patient sufficient opportunity
to make alternative arrangements for care.
- The patient has a basic
right to have available adequate health care. Physicians,
along with the rest of society, should continue to work toward
the goal. Fulfillment of this right is dependent on
society providing resources so that no patient is deprived
of necessary care because of an inability to pay. Physicians
should continue their traditional assumption of a part of
the responsibility for the medical care of those who cannot
afford essential health care.
(SOURCE: Fact Sheet,
June 1994, Department of News &
Information, American Medical Association, 515 North State Street,
Chicago, Illinois 60610, Telephone: 312-464-4443, Fax: 312-464-5839.
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