Notice of Patient/Client Rights and Responsibilities

• Every patient/client will receive written notice of the rights established herein upon admittance. In addition, such rights will be conspicuously posted in Family Service of Rhode Island facilities.

• Every such patient/client will have, in addition to any other rights provided by law, the right to freedom of choice in his/her selection of treatment modalities, except in the case of emergency medical treatment or as otherwise provided for by contract. However, the right to freedom of choice is contingent upon the physician, clinician, care providers, facility or service mode being able to accommodate the patient/client exercising such right of choice.

   

• Every such patient/client in which billing for service is applicable to such patient/client, upon reasonable request, will receive from a person designated by the agency an itemized bill reflecting all financial charges and third party credits and will be allowed to examine an explanation of said bill regardless of the source of payment. This information will also be made available to the patient's/client’s care providers.

• Every patient/client has the right:

--upon request, to obtain  name and specialty, if any, of the physician or other person responsible for his/her care or the coordination of his/her care and know about staff professional qualifications;

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--to confidentiality of all records and communications to the extent provided by law;

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--to choose treatment or service participation without coercion or threats;

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--to have all reasonable requests responded to promptly and adequately within the capacity of the agency; 

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--upon request, to obtain an explanation as to the relationship, if any, of the agency to any other health care facility or educational institution insofar as said relationship relates to his/her care or treatment;

--to discuss concerns with service providers and participate in professional conferences with direct service providers, supervisors and administrative management as deemed necessary;

--to have family members participate in treatment/service planning and reviews;

--to obtain from a person designated by the agency a copy of any rules or regulations of the agency which apply to his/her conduct as a patient/client;

--upon request, to receive from a person designated by the agency any information which the facility has available relative to financial assistance and free health care;

--to submit written comments for his/her records;

--upon request, to inspect his/her medical records and to receive a copy thereof (when medically and/or clinically appropriate)--the fee for said copy will be determined by the rate of copying expenses, except that no fee will be charged to any applicant, beneficiary or individual representing said applicant or beneficiary for furnishing a medical record if the record is requested for the purpose of supporting a claim or appeal under any provision of the Social Security Act or federal or state financial needs-based benefit program;

--to have the agency furnish a medical record requested pursuant to a claim or appeal under any provision of the Social Security Act or any federal or state financial needs-based benefit program within thirty days of the request; provided, however, that any person for whom no fee will be charged will present reasonable documentation at the time of such records request that the purpose of said request is to support a claim or appeal under any provision of the Social Security Act or any federal or state financial needs-based benefit program;

--to refuse to be examined, observed, or treated by students or any other agency staff without jeopardizing access to psychiatric, psychological, or other medical care and attention;

--(if the patient/client is being served by a private practitioner that is employed by the agency) to be informed that he/she is not being served by the organization;

--to refuse to serve as a research subject and to refuse any care or examination when the primary purpose is educational or informational rather than therapeutic;

--to privacy during medical treatment or other rendering of care within the capacity of the agency;

--to prompt life saving treatment in an emergency without discrimination because of economic status or source of payment and without delaying treatment for purposes of prior discussion of the source of payment unless such delay can be imposed without material risk to health; and this right will extend to those individuals not already patients/clients of any facility if said facility has a certified emergency care unit;

--to informed consent to the extent provided by law;

--upon request to receive a copy of an itemized bill or other statement of charges submitted to any third party by the agency for care of the patient/client or resident and to have a copy of said itemized bill or statement sent to the attending physician of the patient/client;

--to privacy during treatment or other rendering of care within the capacity of the agency;

--to be informed of alternative treatments or services;

--to voice opinions, recommendations and grievances in relation to services and policies offered by Family Service of Rhode Island without fear of restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination or reprisal.

• Every patient/client is responsible for:

--keeping scheduled appointments and being on time for those appointments;

--providing at least a 24 hour notice to cancel appointments to avoid fee charges for appointments that are not cancelled;

--refraining from alcohol or illegal use and/or influence at the time of and during scheduled appointments (services);

--informing the agency of changes in insurance status;

--maintaining the confidentiality of other agency clients;

--refraining from carrying any weapon or instrument/item that could be used as a weapon at the time of or during scheduled agency visits;

--refraining from hostile and/or violent behavior at the time of and/or during an agency visit and;

--participating in the treatment/service plan in good faith.

--undergoing urine screenings when needed to comply with a treatment plan.

• Failure to follow these rules may result in termination of services/treatment.

• No provision of this policy relating to confidentiality of records will be construed to prevent access to any such records in connection with any peer review or utilization review procedures applied and implemented in good faith.  No provision herein will be construed as limiting any other right or remedies previously existing at law. If service providers are unable to satisfactorily address a patient/client concern, he/she may initiate a formal grievance by contacting the Quality Management Department at 401.331.1350. Patient/clients have the right to appeal the result of any grievance proceeding.