Patient Rights
PROVISIONS OF CARE
The patient has a right to access medical care considerate and respectful of his/her personal values and to receive care regardless of age, race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, marital status, source of income, political belief, affiliation or activity and association with another individual or class of individuals having characteristics above. The patient has a right to be treated in a safe and secure setting, free from abuse and threat.
UNDERSTANDING TREATMENT
The patient has a right to be informed of his/her diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and proposed procedures including the risks involved and in terms they understand. The patient has the right to know the possible length of recovery, any medically reasonable alternatives, risks or benefits. The patient has the right to know the names and roles of the staff caring for him/her. The patient or the patient’s authorized representative has the right to obtain information in his/her medical record within a reasonable time frame, within the limits of the law.
PARTICIPATION
The patient must make informed decisions regarding his/her care and to be a part of the care planning and treatment and to enjoin family members as desired.
The patient and/or his/her authorized family member(s) has the right to be involved in ethical questions that arise regarding his/her care and to refuse treatment at will.
RIGHT TO TREATMENT
The patient has a right to access care as long as that care is within IEC’s capacity, mission and policies.
INFORMED CONSENT
The patient has the right to receive information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure and/or treatment requiring such consent, except in life-threatening situations.
In the event of a life-threatening situation, the physician will provide the protocol that is in the best interest of the patient. The patient, his/her family, has the right to explanations regarding expected benefits, risks and alternatives to the proposed treatment or procedure prior to providing informed consent.
RESEARCH
The patient has the right to consent or refuse to participate in proposed research studies fully explained prior to consent. Any refusal to participate will not compromise a patient’s care.
CONFIDENTIALITY
The patient has the right to confidentiality and all communication and records about his/her care. The patient has the right to be informed of the establishment’s
confidentiality practices as required by law. Medical records and all other information will be kept confidential unless disclosure is required by law, written consent, or allowed within the limits of the law.
PRIVACY
The patient has the right to every consideration of privacy. Case discussion, consultation, examination and treatment will be conducted so as to protect each patient’s privacy.
CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS
The patient has the right to receive a written statement of his/her rights. Patients are asked to share concerns or complaints about the care or services provided and to have those issues reviewed and resolved where possible with the appropriate complaint resolution officer designated as the standing Office Manager.
CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
The patient has a right to express spiritual belief and cultural practices, as long as these do not intrude on others or interferes in the treatment plan.
BILLING SERVICES
The patient has the right to be informed of IEC’s billing services and related charges and fees. The patient has the right to be advised of the availability of financial assistance if appropriate.
MEDICARE ASSIGNMENT
The patient has the right to know, upon request and in advance of treatment, whether the provider accepts the Medicare assignment rate.
The patient has a right to request, prior to treatment, a reasonable estimate of charges for medical care.
PARTICIPATION
The patient has the responsibility to participate in their own healthcare decisions.
INSURANCE & DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
The patient has the responsibility to provide current insurance information, including but not limited to social security numbers, changes of addresses, phone numbers, employment changes or emergency contact names. The patient is responsible for making payment arrangements for services not covered by insurance; outstanding balances and self pay methods. Patients have the responsibility to understand the boundaries of their individual healthcare plans and to contact their plan administrator when coverage questions arise. Patients are responsible for assuring that the financial obligations of his/her health care are fulfilled as promptly as possible.
MEDICAL HISTORY
The patient has the responsibility to be as accurate and complete as possible about information on present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications and other matters relating to his/her health. Medical histories and current treatment by other physicians is vitally important to the treatment protocol provided by this facility.
QUESTIONS & CONCERNS
The patient has the responsibility to inform the physician or staff if he/she has questions or concerns regarding treatment. The patient has the responsibility to follow his/her physician’s advice regarding health care requirements. The patient is responsible for notifying his/her physician or other health care provider if the designated treatment
plan cannot be followed or for reporting unexpected changes in his/her condition. The patient has the responsibility to ask questions where their understanding is not clear.
TREATMENT PLAN
The patient is responsible for following the treatment plan recommended by his/her health care provider.
RULES & REGULATIONS
The patient has the responsibility to follow the rules and regulations including the no smoking policy; being considerate of other patients’ privacy and control of obsessive noise and control of children.
APPOINTMENTS
The patient has the responsibility to keep or cancel an appointment in a timely fashion.
CELLULAR PHONES
The patient has the responsibility to switch their personal cell phones to vibrate and to remove themselves from the waiting room while engaged in private cellular phone discussions.