Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities

  • All patients have the right to choose his/her Primary Care Provider (PCP), or to change his/her Primary Care Provider (PCP) as desired within the Primary Care Medical Home (PCMH). ACMS respects the patient’s right to obtain care from another provider, seek a second opinion from another provider or seek specialty care.
  • All patients have the right to accessible, impartial, considerate, and respectful care within the capacity of the facility, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, national origin, or source of payment.
  • All patients have the right to receive the necessary information to make decisions regarding care. Information shall include, at a minimum, an explanation of specific procedures or treatment, its value, and significant risk, as well as, alternatives to treatment including non-treatment of the condition.
  • All patients have the right to receive information that is relative to his/her age, language, and ability to understand.
  • All patients have the right to receive interpretive or translation services when necessary.
  • All patients have the right to refuse any procedure or treatment.
  • All patients have the right to be informed of and to refuse to participate in research.
  • All patients have the right to privacy and confidentiality of all records pertaining to treatment, except necessary requests for referral of care, third party payment contracts, and situations otherwise provided by law.
  • All patients have the right to be informed of the identity, title, and qualifications of the individuals providing care/service to them.
  • All patients have the right to receive from his/her provider complete and current information concerning diagnosis, treatment, and known prognosis in terms the patient and/or their family/caregiver can understand.
  • All patients have the right to family involvement in their care and decision-making, as desired.
  • All patients have the right to expect a reasonably safe and comfortable environment of care. Our facilities are smoke-free. This includes protection from abuse, neglect, or exploitation within the organization and the right to report any allegations to management for investigation.
  • All patients have the right to examine and receive an explanation of his/her bill regardless of source of payment.
  • All patients have the right to receive prompt and reasonable responses to questions and/or requests for information.
  • All patients have the right to receive appropriate assessment and management of pain within the scope of the provider.
  • All patients have the right to be informed of our grievance policy.
  • All patients have the right to be informed of rules and regulations that apply to his/her conduct as a patient.
  • All patients have the right to be informed of and consent to any recording or filming for purposes other than identification, diagnosis, or treatment.

Patient Responsibilities

  • All patients are responsible for providing accurate, complete information regarding present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to his/her health status.
  • All patients are responsible for reporting unexpected changes in his/her condition to the provider.
  • All patients are responsible for requesting additional instructions if he/she is unclear regarding instructions given to them by the provider or nurse.
  • All patients are responsible for following the treatment plan agreed upon by the patient and their provider, as well as, instructions given by the provider or the provider’s nurse and any established self-management goals. This includes keeping appointments and informing the provider if you are unable to do so.
  • All patients are responsible for his/her actions if they refuse treatment or do not follow provider instructions.
  • All patients are responsible for assuring that the financial obligations of his/her health care are fulfilled as promptly as possible.
  • All patients are responsible for being considerate and respectful of the rights of other patients and clinic personnel.
  • All patients are responsible for not bringing weapons within the boundaries of health center properties.
  • All patients are responsible for any personal items brought with them including purses, medications, etc.
  • All patients are responsible for providing the provider with accurate information regarding pain. Such information should include, but is not limited to, location, onset, and duration as well as current and past pain relief regimens (including those prescribed by other providers).
  • All patients are responsible for adhering to pain relief regimens such as medications and exercise or physical therapy as prescribed by the provider to obtain maximum relief.
  • All patients are responsible for complying with the facility’s no smoking policy. ACMS is a smoke-free campus.