Patient Bill of Rights

As a patient in a Clinic in New York State, you have the right, consistent with law,to:

• (1) Receive service(s) without regard to age, race, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, sex, gender identity, national origin or sponsor;
• (2) Be treated with consideration, respect and dignity including privacy in treatment;
• (3) Be informed of the services available at the center;
• (4) Be informed of the provisions for off-hour emergency coverage;
• (5) Be informed of and receive an estimate of the charges for services, view a list of the health plans and the hospitals that the center participates with; eligibility for third-party reimbursements and, when applicable, the availability of free or reduced cost care;
• (6) Receive an itemized copy of his/her account statement, upon request;
• (7) Obtain from his/her health care practitioner, or the health care practitioner’s delegate, complete and current information concerning his/her diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in terms the patient can be reasonably expected to understand;
• (8) Receive from his/her physician information necessary to give informed consent prior to
  the start of any nonemergency procedure or treatment or both. An informed consent shall include, as a minimum, the provision of information concerning the specific procedure or treatment or both, the reasonably foreseeable risks involved, and alternatives for care or treatment, if any, as a reasonable medical practitioner under similar circumstances would disclose in a manner permitting the patient to make a knowledgeable decision;
• (9) Refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be fully informed of the medical consequences of his/her action;
• (10) Refuse to participate in experimental research;
• (11) Voice grievances and recommend changes in policies and services to the center’s staff, the operator
  and the New York State Department of Health without fear of reprisal;
• (12) Express complaints about the care and services provided and to have the center investigate such complaints. The center is responsible for providing the patient or his/her designee with a written response within 30 days if requested by the patient indicating the findings of the investigation. The center is also responsible for notifying the patient or his/her designee that if the patient is not satisfied by the center response, the patient may complain to the New York State Department of Health;
• (13) Privacyandconfidentialityofallinformationandrecordspertainingtothepatient’streatment;
• (14) Approve or refuse the release or disclosure of the contents of his/her medical record to any health-
  care practitioner and/or health-care facility except as required by law or third-party payment contract;
• (15) Accesstohis/hermedicalrecordperSection18ofthePublicHealthLaw,andSubpart50-3.For additional information link to: http://www.health.ny.gov/publications/1449/section_1.htm#access;
• (16) Authorize those family members and other adults who will be given priority to visit consistent with your ability to receive visitors;
• (17) When applicable, make known your wishes in regard to anatomical gifts. Persons sixteen years of age or older may document their consent to donate their organs, eyes and/or tissues, upon their death, by enrolling in the NYS Donate Life Registry or by documenting their authorization for organ and/or
  tissue donation in writing in a number of ways (such as health care proxy, will, donor card, or other
  signed paper). The health care proxy is available from the center;
• (18) View a list of the health plans and the hospitals that the center participates with; and
• (19) Receive an estimate of the amount that you will be billed after services are rendered.

Patient Bill of Rights: New York State Optometric Association

The New York State Optometric Association, Inc., exists primarily for the purpose of providing health care to patients. We believe that courtesy, dignity communication and privacy are essential to the well-being of our patients. The New York State Optometric Association, Inc., upholds the following policies regarding the rights and responsibilities of our patients:

• As a patient, you have the right to understand and use these rights. If for any reason you do not understand or need our held, our staff will provide assistance.
• As a patient, you have the right to receive treatment without discrimination as to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or source of payment.
• As a patient, you have the right to receive considerate and respectful care in a clean and safe environment.
• As a patient, you have the right to know the names, position and functions or any office staff involved in your care and to refuse their treatment, examination or observation.
• As a patient, you have the right to know that your doctor of optometry is certified by New York State to use drugs to diagnose and treat diseases of the eye. In the event your condition requires the use of steroids or antiviral medication and your condition does not improve within five days, a physician of your choice will be notified. In the event you are diagnosed with glaucoma, your optometrist will have your diagnosis confirmed and treatment co-managed with an ophthalmologist (MD) of your choice or, if you wish, one recommended by your optometrist.
• As a patient, you have the right to have the right to receive complete information about your diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
• As a patient, you have the right to receive all the information that you need to give informed consent for any proposed procedure or treatment. This information shall include the possible risk and benefits of the procedure or treatment.
• As a patient, you have the right to have the right to refuse treatment and be told what effect this may have on your health.
• As a patient, you have the right to privacy while in the office and confidentiality of information and records regarding your care.
• As a patient, you have the right to review your medical record without charge and obtain a copy of your medical record for which the office can charge a reasonable fee. You cannot be denied a copy solely because you cannot afford to pay.
• As a patient, you have the right to receive without charge a copy of your prescription. If you wear contact lenses, you have a right to receive a copy of your contact lens specifications necessary to duplicate the lenses only after the fit has been confirmed. The prescription may contain an expiration date.
• As a patient, you have the right to receive an itemized bill and an explanation of all charges.