Patients have the right:   Decision Making

• to be notified in writing of the care that is to be furished, the types (disciplines) of the who will furnish the care, and the frequency of the services that are proposed to be furnished;
• to be advised of any change in the Plan of Care before the change is made;
• to participate in the planning of the care and in planning changes in the care, and to be advised that they have the right to do so;
• to have access to the Hospice Plan of Care;
• to refuse services and to be advised of the consequences of refusing care.

Patients have the right:   Privacy

• to confidentiality with regard to information about their health, social and financial circumstances;
• to expect Hospice Ministries to release information only as consistent with its internal policy, required by law, or authorized by the client.

Patients have the right:   Financial

• to be informaed of the extent to which payment may be expected from Medicare, Medicaid or any other payor known to Hospice Ministries;
• to be informed of any chareges that wil not be covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance;
• to be informed of any charges for which the patient may be liable;
• to recieve this information, orally and in writing, within 30 calendar days of the date that Hospice Ministries becomes aware of any changes in charges;
• to have access upon request, to all bills for service the patient has received regardless of whether they are paid out-of-pocket by the patient or another party;
• to be informed of Hospice Ministries' affiliation with any entities to whom the patient is referred;
• to receive timely notice of impending discharge or transfer to another organization or to a different level of intensity of care, and to be advised of the consequences and alternatives to such transfers.

Patients have the right:   Quality of Care

• to receive care of the highest quality;
• to be asssured that palliative and supportive services will be provided which are necessary to promote the physical, psychological, social and spiritual well-being of the patient's preference considered in planning and delivering care;
• to utilize Hospice Ministries' Medical Directors or their own private physician;
• to be told what to do in case of an emergency.

Hospice Ministries or the patient's physician may refer the patient to another source of care if the client's refusal to comply with the plan of care threatens to compromise the provider's commitment to quality care.