Patient’s Bill of Rights
Our patients and their family members have the right to consider care that safeguards their personal dignity and respects their culture, psycho-social and spiritual values. All patients or care recipients receive a copy of our “Patient Rights and Responsibilities” at our initial assessment.
Every patient or care recipient can exercise his or her rights without regard to age, gender, economic status, educational background, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, illness, disability status or source of payment for care.
State law requires that your healthcare provider or healthcare facility recognize your rights while you’re receiving medical care and that you respect the health care provider’s or health care facility’s right to expect certain behavior from you. You may request a copy of the full text of this law from your healthcare provider or healthcare facility. Below is a summary of your rights and responsibilities.
- A patient has the right to be treated with courtesy and respect, with the appreciation of his individual dignity, and with the protection of his/her need for privacy.
- A patient has the right to a prompt and reasonable response to questions and requests.
- A patient has the right to know who is providing medical services and who is responsible for his/her care.
- A patient has the right to know what patient support services are available, including whether an interpreter is available if he/she does not speak English.
- A patient has the right to know what rules and regulations apply to conduct.
- A patient has the right to be given by his/her healthcare provider information concerning diagnosis, planned course of treatment, alternative risks and prognosis.
- A patient has the right to refuse treatment, except as otherwise provided by law.
- A patient has the right to be given, upon request, full information and necessary counseling on the availability of known financial resources for his/her care.
- A patient who is eligible for Medicare has the right to know, upon request and in advance of treatment; whether the health care provider or health care facility accepts Medicare assignment.
- A patient has the right to receive, upon request, prior to treatment, a reasonable estimate of charges for medical care.
- A patient has the right to receive a copy of a reasonably clear and understandable itemized bill, and have charges explained upon request.
- A patient has the right to impartial access to medical treatment or accommodations, regardless of race, national origin, religion, physical handicap or source of payment.
- A patient has the right to treatment for any emergency medical condition that will deteriorate from failure to provide treatment.
- A patient has the right to know if medical treatment is for the purpose of experimental research and to give his/her consent or refusal to participate in such experimental research.
- A patient has the right to express grievances regarding any violation of his/her rights, as stated in Florida law, through the grievance procedure of the health care provider or health care facility which served him/her and to the appropriate state licensing agency.
- A patient is responsible for providing to his/her 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.
- A patient is responsible for reporting unexpected changes in his/her condition to his/her health care provider.
- A patient is responsible for reporting to his/her health care provider whether he/she comprehends a contemplated course of action and what is expected of him/her.
- A patient is responsible for following the treatment plan recommended by the health care provider.
- A patient is responsible for keeping appointments and for notifying the health care provider or health care facility when he/she is unable to do so for any reason.
- A patient is responsible for his/her actions if he/she refuses treatment or does not follow the health care provider's instructions.
- A patient is responsible for assuring that the financial obligations of his/her health care are fulfilled as promptly as possible.
- A patient is responsible for following health care facility rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct.
The Patient’s Bill of Rights is available in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Thai.
