Patient's Bill of Rights

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:

• A patient has the right to be treated with courtesy and respect, with appreciation of his individual dignity, and with protection of his 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 care.
• A patient has the right to know what patient support services are available, including whether an interpreter is available if he does not speak English.
• A patient has the right to know what rules and regulations apply to his conduct.
• A patient has the right to be given by his health care provider information concerning diagnosis, planned course of treatment, alternatives, risks, and prognosis.
• A patient has the right to refuse 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 care.
• A patient is 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 charges explained.
• patient has the right to impartial access to 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 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 consent or refusal to participate in such experimental research.
• A patient has the right to express grievances regarding any violation of his rights, as stated in Florida law, through the grievance procedure of the health care provider or health care facility which served him and to the appropriate state licensing agency.

Patient's Responsibilities