Summary of the Florida Patient's Bill of Rights & Responsibilities

Florida law requires that your health care provider or health care facility recognize your rights while you are receiving medical care and that you respect the health care provider's or health care facility's right to expect certain behavior on the part of patients. You may request a copy of the full text of this law from your health care provider or health care facility. A summary of your rights and responsibilities follows:

RIGHTS.

• A patient has the right to be treated with courtesy and respect, with appreciation of his/her individual dignity, and with protection of his/her need for privacy.
• A patient has the right to a prompt and reasonable response to questions and requests.
• A patient has the right to know who is providing medical services and who is responsible for his/her care.
• A patient has the right to know what patient support services are available, including whether an interpreter is available if he/she does not speak English.
• A patient has the right to know what rules and regulations apply to his/her conduct.
• A patient has the right to be given by his/her health care provider information concerning diagnosis, planned course of treatment, alternatives, risks, and prognosis.
• A patient has the right to refuse any treatment, except as otherwise provided by law.
• A patient has the right to be given, upon request, full information and necessary counseling on the availability of known financial resources for his/her care.
• A patient who is eligible for Medicare has the right to know, upon request and in advance of treatment, whether the health care provider or health care facility accepts the Medicare assignment rate.
• A patient has the right to receive, upon request, prior to treatment, a reasonable estimate of charges for medical care.
• A patient has the right to receive a copy of a reasonably clear and understandable, itemized bill and, upon request, to have the charges explained, and receive adequate information needed for insurance filing.
• A patient has the right to impartial access t o medical treatment or accommodations, regardless of race, national origin, religion, physical handicap, or source of payment.
• A patient has the right to treatment for any emergency medical condition which will deteriorate from failure to provide care.
• A patient has the right to know if medical treatment is for purposes of experimental research and to give his/her consent or refusal to participate in such experimental research.
• A patient has the right to express grievances regarding any violations of his/her rights, as stated in Florida law, through the grievance procedure of the health plan, the health care provider or health care facility which served him/her and to the appropriate state licensing agency.

PATIENT RESPONSIBILITIES.

• A patient is responsible for providing to his/her health care provider, to the best of his/her knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to his/her health.
• A patient is responsible for reporting unexpected changes in his/her condition to his/her health care provider.
• A patient is responsible for reporting to his/her health care provider whether he/she comprehends a contemplated course of action and what is expected of him/her.
• A patient is responsible for following treatment plan recommended by his/her health care provider.
• A patient is responsible for keeping appointments and, when he/she is unable to do so for any reason, for notifying the health care provider or health care facility.
• A patient is responsible for his/her actions if he/she refuses treatment or does not follow the health care provider's instructions.
• A patient is responsible for assuring that the financial obligations of his/her health care are fulfilled as promptly as possible.
• A patient is responsible for following health care facility rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct.

FILING COMPLAINTS.

If you have a complaint against a hospital or ambulatory surgical center, call the Consumer Assistance Unit at 1-888-419-3456 (Press 1) or write to the address listed below.

AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION

CONSUMER ASSISTANCE UNIT
2727 MAHAN DRIVE, BLDG. 1
TALLAHASSEE, FL 32308

If you have a complaint against a health care professional and want to receive a complaint form, call the Consumer Service Unit at 1-888-419-3456 (Press 2) or write to the address below.

AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION

CONSUMER SERVICES UNIT
P. O. BOX 14000
TALLAHASSEE, FL 32317-4000