Patients Bill of Rights

We take our patients' privacy and rights seriously. Consult our policy on this page for details and please reach out with any questions or comments.

Section 381.026, Florida Statutes

A PATIENT HAS THE RIGHT TO:

  • Be treated with courtesy and respect, with appreciation of his/her dignity, and with protection of privacy.
  • Receive a prompt and reasonable response to questions and requests.
  • Know who is providing medical services and is responsible for his/her care.
  • Know what patient support services or ADA devices are available, including an interpreter.
  • Know what rules and regulations apply to his/her conduct.
  • Bring any person to the patient-accessible areas to accompany while receiving care or consulting with their health car provider, unless doing so would be a safety risk, or cannot be reasonable accommodated by the facility or provider.
  • Be given by the health care provider information such as diagnosis, planned course of treatment, alternatives, risks, and prognosis.
  • Refuse any treatment, except as otherwise provided by law.
  • Be given full information and necessary counseling on the availability on known financial resources for care.
  • Know whether the health care provider or facility accepts the Medicare assignment rate, if the patient is covered by Medicare.
  • Receive prior to treatment, as reasonable estimate of charges for medical care.
  • Receive a copy of an understandable itemized bill and, if requested, to have the charges explained.
  • Receive medical treatment or accommodations, regardless of race, national origin, religion, handicap, or source of payment.
  • Receive treatment for any emergency medical condition that will deteriorate from failure to provide treatment.
  • Know if medical treatment is for purposes of experimental research and to give his/her consent or refusal to participate in such research.
  • Express complaints regarding any violation of his/her rights.
  • Right to change providers/staff members if other qualified providers/staff members are available
  • Choose the facility to receive health care services.
  • Be informed about the facility's advance directives policy which does not honor a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) request/directive, and life saving care will be administered and transfer to a higher level of care/hospital as required by prevailing laws and regulations

A PATIENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR:

  • Giving the health care provider accurate information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and any other information about his/her health.
  • Reporting unexpected changes in his/her condition to the health care provider.
  • Reporting to the health care provider whether he/she understands a planned course of action and what is expected of him/her.
  • Following the treatment plan recommended by the health care provider.
  • Keeping appointments and, when unable to do so, notifying the health care provider or facility.
  • His/her actions if treatment is refused or if the patient does not follow the health care provider's instructions.
  • Respecting the physicians and staff as appropriate.
  • Making sure financial responsibilities are carried out.
  • Following health care facility conduct rules and regulations.
  • Have a responsible adult to provide transportation home, and remain with them as directed by the physician and/or discharge instructions.

FILING COMPLAINTS

AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION

CONSUMER ASSISTANCE UNIT 2727 MAHAN DRIVE, BUILDING 1 TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32308

If you have a complaint about a health care professional and want to receive a complaint form, call the Consumer Services Unit at 1-888-419-3456 (PRESS 2) or write to the address below:

Visit us at FloridaHealthFinder.gov

Medicare Ombudsman

1-800-MEDICARE Medicare.gov

If you have a concern that needs immediate attention, please contact Merikay Campbell by phone at (832) 232-0550 or by email at merikay@qorosclearlake.com.