HealthyLife Articles

Category: Medical Care

A Dozen Rights Every Patient Should Expect

Medical Care

What rights and privileges can you expect from a hospital when you become a patient? According to the American Hospital Association (AHA), there are specific standards of care that all patients are entitled to. The AHA has developed a voluntary code-the Patient’s Bill of Rights-that presents guidelines for both staff and patients.

1. You have the right to considerate and respectful care.

2. You have the right to obtain from your physician complete, current information concerning your diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in terms you can reasonably be expected to understand.

3. You have the right to receive from your physician information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure and/or treatment.

4. You have the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law, and to be informed of the medical consequences of your action.

5. You have the right to privacy concerning your own medical care program.

6. You have the right to expect that all communications and records pertaining to your care should be treated as confidential.

7. You have the right to expect that, within its capacity, a hospital must make a reasonable response to your request for services.

8. You have the right to obtain information about any relationship of your hospital to other health care and educational institutions insofar as your care is concerned.

9. You have the right to be advised if the hospital proposes to engage in or perform human experimentation affecting your care or treatment.

10. You have the right to expect reasonable continuity of care.

11. You have the right to examine and receive an explanation of your bill regardless of the source of payment.

12. You have the right to know what hospital rules and regulations apply to your conduct as a patient.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Patient Rights

Medical Care

There are a variety of patient’s rights and providers of them. One, called “The Patient Care Partnership” is from the American Hospital Association (AHA). It gives guidelines for both patients and staff to let you know your rights in a hospital. These include:

* High-quality hospital care.

* A clean and safe environment.

* Involvement in your care.

* Protection of your privacy.

* Preparing you and your family for when you leave the hospital.

* Help with your bill and with filing insurance claims.

Get a copy of this fromwww.aha.org/advocacy-issues/communicatingpts/pt-care-partnership.shtml.

Certain hospitals, hospice care providers, U.S. states, and health insurance plans have their own patient’s bill of rights. A Federal Patient’s Bill of Rights to protect the right of patients using health insurance was created at the same time as the Affordable Care Act. Its measures include:

* Certain preventive screenings at no cost to patients.

* The right to get health insurance in spite of pre-existing medical conditions.

* Removal of annual and lifetime dollar limits for essential health care benefits.

* The right to an easy-to-understand summary of benefits and coverage.

Find out more about these rights atwww.healthcare.gov/how-does-the-health-care-law-protect-me.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Save On Doctor’S Fees. Communication Is Key.

Medical Care

* Get services from in-network providers. If it is essential for you to see an out-of-network specialist, call your health insurer’s pre-certification department and ask if it will cover services at the in-network rate.

* Before you go, ask how much the visit will cost. For each visit, ask again. Ask if a telehealth visit would cost less. This is helpful if a physical exam is not necessary.

* Sometimes, your doctor charges more than what your insurance will pay. If so, ask if he or she will accept what the insurance pays and not ask you to pay more.

* If you have a high deductible plan, ask if fees are negotiable. Ask if you can be charged less, especially if you are on a limited budget.

* Ask if your doctor will give a discount for paying at the time of your visit.

* If possible, schedule visits with the doctor’s Physician’s Assistant or Nurse Practitioner. The cost may be less. You may also be able to spend more time discussing your needs.

* When you can, call or email your doctor for advice. Find out if and what fees your doctor charges for these services.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Importance Of An Emergency Room Companion

Medical Care

Should you require treatment in an emergency room, ask a relative or a friend to accompany you to serve as your “clear head.” He or she can keep track of what procedures are being done and what kind of treatment you’re getting, and speak on your behalf if treatment seems too slow in coming.

Having a reassuring companion nearby can also help reduce the stress of an emergency room visit. Your companion should also know about any medications that you are currently taking. Try to bring these medications with you. Most important, your companion can take you home if any medicine given would preclude you from driving.

After you are treated, your companion should help you find out:

* What follow-up care is necessary?

* What is the name of the emergency room doctor who treated you?

* Are there special considerations for the next 24 to 48 hours?

* Should your private physician be notified?

* Do you have a prescription that must be filled immediately?

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Patient Safety

Medical Care

Although estimates vary, as many as 251,000 people a year die in U.S. hospitals due to medical errors, also called Preventable Adverse Events (PAEs).

Take an active role in every decision about your health care. If needed, have a family member or friend oversee your care.

“Wrong-site” surgery includes operating on the wrong person, the wrong organ, or the wrong limb.

Before you are taken into surgery, make sure the surgery is the one scheduled for you. Mark the body part to be operated on, too. Use the marker, etc. the doctor gives you to do this.

Find out about patient safety from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement atihi.organd the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality atahrq.gov.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Save On Eye Care

Medical Care

“See” what you can do to get free or low cost vision care.

Get a list of state and national resources for free and low-cost aid fromwww.nei.nih.gov/health/financialaid.asp.

Eyeing eye care.

It costs less to have an eye exam from an optometrist than an ophthalmologist. An optometrist (O.D.) is trained and licensed to examine eyes, prescribe lenses, and detect vision problems. Ophthalmologists are M.D.s. They can do everything optometrists do. They can also do surgery and prescribe medicines.

Experience counts.

If you are thinking about having surgery, etc. to correct your vision, find an eye surgeon who has a good record and approved equipment for the type of surgery you want to have. Ask your current eye doctor to recommend an eye surgeon. Don’t just use ads and low prices as your only factors in choosing an eye surgeon. It could cost you more in the long run.

Get it in writing.

When you get an exam for eyeglasses or contact lenses, get a copy of the prescription. Use it to get prices from different retail places, pharmacies, mail-order companies, and online sites.

Check for coupons and discounts.

Some retailers offer discounts, “buy one, get one free,” etc. You may also be able to get a discount on eyeglasses, etc. through membership with your auto insurance company, credit card program, and/or warehouse stores.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026