PATIENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

The patient and the patient’s representative or surrogate have the right to:

• Be free from discrimination or reprisal.
• Voice grievances regarding treatment or care that is (of fails to be) provided.
• Be fully informed about a treatment or procedure and the expected outcome before it is performed.
• Personal privacy.
• Respect, dignity and comfort.
• Receive care in a safe setting.
• Be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.
• Receive information about their privacy rights andhow their information can be used.
• Privacy and confidentiality or medical record information.
• Make informed decisions regarding care.
• Formulate an Advance Directive.
• Delegate his/her right to make informed decisions to another person.
• Know if your physician has a financial interest or ownership in the center.
• File a grievance.

If a patient is adjudged incompetent under applicable State laws by a court of proper jurisdiction, the rights of the patient are exercised by the person appointed under State law to act on the patient’s behalf.

If a state court has not adjudged a patient incompetent, any legal representative or surrogate designated by the patient in accordance with State law may exercise the patient’s rights to the extent allowed by State law.

Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC)

The patient and the patient’s representative or surrogate have the right to:

• Be treated with respect, consideration and dignity
• Be provided appropriate privacy
• When the need arises, reasonable attempts are made for health care professionals and other staff to communicate in the language or manner primarily used by patients.
• Be provided to the degree known, information concerning their diagnosis, evaluation, treatment and prognosis. When it is medically inadvisable to give such information to a patient, the information is provided to a person designated by the patient or to a legally authorized person.
• Be given the opportunity to participate in decisions involving their health care, except when such participation is contraindicated for medical reasons.
• Know services available at the facility.
• Know provisions for after-hours and emergency care
• Know fees for services.
• Know payment policies.
• Formulate advance directives.
• Know the credentials of healthcare professionals.
• Know if there is an absence of malpractice insurance coverage.
• Know how to voice grievances regarding treatment or care.
• Know methods for providing feedback, including complaints.
• Be informed of their right to change providers if other qualified providers are available.

The patient or appropriate the patient’s representative is responsible for:

• Providing complete and accurate information the best of his/her ability about his/her health, and medications taken, including over-the-counter products and dietary supplements, and any allergies or sensitivities.
• Following the treatment plan prescribed by his/her home from the facility and remain with him/her for 24 hours, if required by the provider.
• Accepting personal financial responsibility for any charges not covered by insurance.
• Behaving respectfully toward all the health care professionals and staff, as well as other patients.

Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC)

The patient or as appropriated the patient’s representative is responsible for:

• Providing complete and accurate information the best of his/her ability about his/her health, and medications taken, including over-the-counter products and dietary supplements, and any allergies or sensitivities.
• Following the treatment plan prescribed by his/her home from the facility and remain with him/her for 24 hours, if required by the provider.
• Accepting personal financial responsibility for any charges not covered by insurance.
• Behaving respectfully toward all the health care professionals and staff, as well as other patients.

Complaint/Grievance process:

If you, your representative or surrogate heave a problem or complaint, please speak to the receptionist, nurse, physician or your caregiver; we will address your concern(s). You may also contact the Facility Administrator. If your concern cannot be immediately resolved the facility will investigate the complaint/grievance and notify you, in writing, the outcome of the investigation.

If you are not satisfied with the response of the Surgery Center at Edgewater, you may contact the State of South Carolina via:

Mail: PO BOX 8206
Columbia, South Carolina 29202-8206
Phone: (803) 898-2605
Email or Web Address: www.scdhhs.gov

You may also contact AAAHC via:

Mail: Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc.
5250 Old Orchard Road, Suite 200
Skokie, Illinois 60077
Phone: (847) 853-6060
Email or Web Address: www.aaahc.org

NOTE: Role of Medicare Ombudsman is to ensure that Medicare Beneficiaries receive the information and help them need to understand their Medicare options and to apply their Medicare rights and protections.

All Medicare beneficiaries may also file a complaint or grievance with the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman.

Visit the Ombudsman’s webpage on the web at:

http://www.medicare.gov/claims-and appeals/medicalre-rights/get.help/ombudsman.html

Good Faith Estimate:

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

• You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical test, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
• Make sure your health care provider gives you a “Good Faith Estimate” in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a “Good Faith Estimate” before you schedule an item or service.
• If you receive a bill that is at least $400.00 more than your “Good Faith Estimate”, you can dispute the bill.
• Make sure to save a copy or picture of your “Good Faith Estimate”.

For questions or more information about your right to a “Good Faith Estimate”, visit cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 985-3059.