Your Healthcare Rights
What is a Healthcare Advocate?
A healthcare advocate is a person who argues for, recommends or supports themselves (or someone else) throughout their experience in the healthcare system.
Today more than ever consumers have learned they must be their own advocates. Knowing how to maneuver through a complicated healthcare system will help you understand the care you receive and help you make informed choices about your treatment options.
The first step in becoming a good advocate is to know your healthcare rights.
The "Patient's Bill of Rights"
The Patient's Bill of Rights was designed for your protection and passed by the U.S. Government. In general, your healthcare rights include:
- Information Disclosure (The right to receive accurate, easy to understand information).
- Choice of Providers and Plans (Your right to choose health care providers and plans).
- Access to Emergency Services (Your right to access emergency care).
- Participation in Treatment Decisions (Your right to know and participate in decisions about your care).
- Respect and Nondiscrimination (Your right to considerate, respectful care).
- Confidentiality of Health Information (Your health records are confidential).
- Complaints and Appeals (Your right to a fair and efficient process to resolve problems with your health providers).
- Consumer Responsibilities (Your active role in the healthcare process).
There are also healthcare rights for other health issues, such as mental health, hospice and others.