Policies & Procedures

SUMMARY OF THE FLORIDA PATIENT’S BILL OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Florida law requires that your health care provider or health care facility recognize your rights while you are receiving medical care and that you respect the health care provider’s or health care facility’s right to expect certain behavior on the part of patients. You may request a copy of the full text of this law from your health care provider or health care facility. A summary of your rights and responsibilities follows:

• • • A patient has the right to know who is providing medical
      services and who is responsible for his or her care.

   

  • • A patient has the right to know what patient support services
      are available, including whether an interpreter is available if
      he or she does not speak English.

   

  • • A patient has the right to know what rules and regulations
      apply to his or her conduct.

   

  • • A patient has the right to be given by the health care
      provider information concerning diagnosis, planned course
      of treatment, alternatives, risks, and prognosis.

   

  • • A patient has the right to refuse any 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 or 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 the Medicare
      assignment rate.

   

  • • 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, upon request, to
      have the charges explained.

   

  • • 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
      purposes of experimental research and to give his or her
      consent or refusal to participate in such experimental
      research.

   

  • • A patient has the right to express grievances regarding any
      violation of his or her rights, as stated in Florida law,
      through the grievance procedure of the health care provider
      or health care facility which served him or her and to the
      appropriate state licensing agency.

   

  • • A patient is responsible for providing to the health care provider,
      to the best of his or her knowledge, accurate and complete
      information about present complaints, past illnesses,
      hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to his or
      her health.

   

  • • A patient is responsible for reporting unexpected changes in
      his or her condition to the health care provider.

   

  • • A patient is responsible for reporting to the health care
      provider whether he or she comprehends a contemplated
      course of action and what is expected of him or her.

   

  • • A patient is responsible for following the treatment plan
      recommended by the health care provider.

   

  • • A patient is responsible for keeping appointments and, when
      he or she is unable to do so for any reason, for notifying the
      health care provider or health care facility.

   

  • • A patient is responsible for his or her actions if he or 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 or 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 conductA patient has the right to a prompt and reasonable response
      to questions and requests.
  • • A patient has the right to be treated with courtesy and
      respect, with appreciation of his or her individual dignity,
      and with protection of his or her need for privacy.

   

  Filing Complaints

  If you have a complaint against a hospital or ambulatory surgical center, call the Consumer Assistance Unit at 1-888-419-3456 (Press #1) or write to the address listed below:

  Agency for Health Care Administration
  Consumer Assistance Unit
  2727 Mahan Drive/Bldg. #1
  Tallahassee, FL 32308

  If you have a complaint against 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:

  Agency for Health Care Administration
  Consumer Services Unit
  P.O. Box 14000
  Tallahassee, FL 32317-4000