FLORIDA
PATIENT'S BILL OF RIGHTS
AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
Florida law (FLA. §§ 381.026, 2005) 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:
- A patient
has the right to be treated with courtesy and respect, with appreciation of his
or her individual dignity, and with protection of his or 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 or her care.
- A patient
has the right to know what patient support services are available, including
whether an interpreter is available if he or she does not speak English.
- A patient
has the right to know what rules and regulations apply to his or her conduct.
- A patient
has the right to be given by the 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 or 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.
- A patient
has the right to impartial access to medical treatment or accommodations,
regardless of race, national origin, religion, handicap, or source of payment.
- A patient
has the right to treatment for any emergency medical condition that will
deteriorate from failure to provide treatment.
- A patient
has the right to know if medical treatment is for purposes of experimental
research and to give his or her consent or refusal to participate in such
experimental research.
- A patient
has the right to express grievances regarding any violation of his or her
rights, as stated in Florida law, through the grievance procedure of the health
care provider or health care facility which served him or her and to the
appropriate state licensing agency.
- A patient
is responsible for providing to the health care provider, to the best of his or
her knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past
illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to his or
her health.
- A patient
is responsible for reporting unexpected changes in his or her condition to the
health care provider.
- A patient
is responsible for reporting to the health care provider whether he or she
comprehends a contemplated course of action and what is expected of him or her.
- A patient
is responsible for following the treatment plan recommended by the health care
provider.
- A patient
is responsible for keeping appointments and, when he or 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 or her actions if he or 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 or 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.
For Florida Patient’s Bill of
Rights violations contact:
Health Professional Licensure Information
4042 Bald Cypress Way
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3250
Phone: 850-488-0595