BE PRO ACTIVE and KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Federal law requires that all individuals receiving home care services be informed of their rights as patient.  According to the National Association for Home Care (NAHC), home health care patients have the right to:

• Be fully informed of all their rights and responsibilities by the home care agency.
• Choose care providers
• Receive appropriate and professional care in accordance with physician orders.
• Receive a timely response from the agency to his or her request for service.
• Be admitted for service only if the agency has the ability to provide safe, professional care at the level of intensity needed.
• Receive reasonable continuity of care.
• Receive information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any treatment or procedure.
• Be advised of any change in the plan of care, before the change is made.
• Refuse treatment within the confines of the law and to be informed of the consequences of their actions.
• Be informed of their rights under state law to formulate advanced directives.
• Have health care providers comply with advance directives in accordance with state law requirements.
• Be informed within a reasonable period of time of antipated termination of service or plans for transfer to another agency.
• Be fully informed of agency policies and charges for services, including eligibility for third-party reimbursements.
• Be referred elsewhere, if denied service solely on their inability to pay.
• Voice girevances and suggest changes in service or staff without fear of restraint or discrimination.
• A fair hearing for any individual to whom any service has been denied, reduced, or terminated, or who is otherwise aggrieved by agency action.  The fair hearing procedure shall be set forth by each agency as appropriate to the unique patient situation (i.e., funding source, level of care, diagnosis).
• Be informed of what to do in the event of an emergency.
• Be advised of the telephone number and hours of operation of the state's home health hotline, which receives questions and complaints about Medicare-certified and state-licensed home care agencies.