Bill of Rights

Patient Bill of Rights

As a patient in a practice in New York State, you have the right, consistent with law, to:

1. Receive service(s) without regard to age, race, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, sex, gender identity, national origin or sponsor;
2. Be treated with consideration, respect and dignity including privacy in treatment;
3. Be informed of the services available at the practice;
4. Be informed of the provisions for off-hour emergency coverage;
5. Be informed of and receive information regarding availability of free care.
6. Obtain from his/her health care practitioner, or the health care practitioner’s delegate, complete and current information concerning his/her diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in terms the patient can be reasonably expected to understand;
7. Receive from his/her physician information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any nonemergency procedure or treatment or both. An informed consent shall include, as a minimum, the provision of information concerning the specific procedure or treatment or both, the reasonably foreseeable risks involved, and alternatives for care or treatment, if any, as a reasonable medical practitioner under similar circumstances would disclose in a manner permitting the patient to make a knowledgeable decision;
8. Refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be fully informed of the medical consequences of his/her action;
9. Refuse to participate in experimental research;
10. Voice grievances and recommend changes in policies and services to the practices’ staff, the operator and the New York State Department of Health without fear of reprisal;
11. Express complaints about the care and services provided and to have the practice investigate such complaints. The practice is responsible for providing the patient or his/her designee with a written response within 30 days if requested by the patient indicating the findings of the investigation. The practice is also responsible for notifying the patient or his/her designee that if the patient is not satisfied by the practice response, the patient may complain to the New York State Department of Health;
12. Privacy and confidentiality of all information and records pertaining to the patient’s treatment;
13. Approve or refuse the release or disclosure of the contents of his/her medical record to any health-care practitioner and/or health-care facility except as required by law or third-party payment contract;
14. Access to his/her medical record per Section 18 of the Public Health Law, and Subpart 50-3. For additional information see: Access to Your Medical Records and Do I Have the Right to See My Medical Records?
15. Authorize those family members and other adults who will be given priority to visit consistent with your ability to receive visitors;
16. When applicable, make known your wishes in regard to anatomical gifts. Persons sixteen years of age or older may document their consent to donate their organs, eyes and/or tissues, upon their death, by enrolling in the NYS Donate Life Registry or by documenting their authorization for organ and/or tissue donation in writing in a number of ways (such as health care proxy, will, donor card, or other signed paper). The health care proxy is available from the practice.
17. Our practice does not charge for services so patients will not be billed after services are rendered.

PATIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

1. A patient is responsible for providing to the health care provider, to the best of his/her knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to his/her health.
2. A patient is responsible for asking questions if they do not understand the directions being given.
3. A patient is responsible for reporting to the health care provider whether he/she comprehends a contemplated course of action and what is expected of him/her.
4. A patient is responsible for following the treatment plan recommended by the health care provider.
5. A patient is responsible for being on time and keeping appointments and, when he/she is unable to do so for any reason, for notifying the health care provider or health care facility.
6. A patient is responsible for his/her actions if he/she refuses treatment or does not follow the health care provider’s instructions.
7. A patient is responsible for following the healthcare facility rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct.