Patient Bill of Rights
The Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center is committed to respecting and protecting the rights of patients. Honoring these rights is an important part of caring for you and your family. We will provide care in a manner that is sensitive to cultural, racial, religious and other differences. In providing you this care, we will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual preference, national origin, disability or source of payment.
We will respond to your reasonable requests for treatment and to your individual healthcare needs. Our response will depend on both the urgency of your situation and on our ability to provide the type of treatment you may require.
We encourage you to participate in decisions about your care. By talking with your healthcare providers, asking questions, and actively engaging in planning your care, you will help ensure the care you receive meets your health care goals.
Our staff is available to answer any questions you might have.
YOUR Responsibly as a patient of this clinic
- To provide, to the best of your ability, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, unexpected changes in condition, allergies, advance directives, medical power of attorney, insurance coverage and other matters relating to your health.
- To follow the instructions of your treatment plan as directed by the provider(s) and/or staff responsible for your care.
- To assume responsibility for the consequences if you refuse a procedure, drug, or treatment or do not follow instructions given by clinic staff.
- To talk with your Care Team if you do not clearly understand your care plan, instructions or have other questions or concerns about your care.
- To be considerate of the rights of other patients and staff in your behavior, respect clinic and/or other patient property.
- To be responsible for payment for services received and to ensure that the financial obligations for your health care are fulfilled as promptly as possible by assisting the Business Office in the claims process and collections.
- To keep appointments or notify us in advance if you are unable to keep your appointments. If you are more than 5 minutes late for your appointment, GLIIHC reserves the right to arrange for a different appointment time for you or ask you to wait until the provider is able to see you.
- To follow clinic rules and regulations and to not smoke within the clinic (except for ceremonial purposes).
- To know that the use of illegal drugs, alcohol, guns or weapons of any kind are not allowed.
- To provide a responsible adult to transport yourself from the clinic and remain with you for 24 hours if required by your provider
YOUR Rights as a patient of this clinic
- To be notified of a breach following the discovery of unauthorized release of your protected health information.
- To be treated with respect, consideration and dignity.
- To know the name, identity and professional status of all persons providing services to you and to know the provider who is primarily responsible for your care.
- To receive complete and current information concerning your diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and prognosis in terms you can understand.
- To have access to information contained in your medical record.
- To receive an explanation of any procedure, or drug in terms you can understand.
- To participate in decisions involving your health care.
- To accept or refuse any procedure, drug or treatment and to be informed of the consequences of such refusal.
- To personal privacy related to your care, consultation, examination and treatment.
- To use a pharmacy of your choice.
- To have communications and records related to your care treated confidentially and, except when disclosures are otherwise permitted or required by law, to be given the opportunity to approve or refuse their release.
- To request assistance in obtaining consultation with another physician regarding your care. This consultation may result in additional cost to you.
- To change your primary or specialty care providers or dentist if other qualified providers are available.
- To request case review by the clinic regarding ethical issues involved in your care.
- To know if your care involves research or experimental methods of treatment. You have the right to consent or refuse to participate in research studies that require patient consent.
- To voice concerns or complaints regarding your care. To have those concerns or complaints reviewed and resolved to the extent practicable, without fear of retaliation or penalty to yourself. You have a right to receive a response to your complaint.
- To examine your bill and receive an explanation of the fees for services and payment policies, regardless of the source of payment for your care.
- To a qualified interpreter if you are visually and/or hearing impaired, or based on languages spoken, need translation services to ensure meaningful access to medical services .through effective communication.
- To be informed of any clinic policies, procedures, rules and regulations applicable to your care. Your guardian or legally authorized representative has the right to exercise the rights listed above on your behalf.