Patient Rights & Responsibilites

You have the right to:

• Medical care regardless of your ability to pay;
• Be treated with respect and consideration and without discrimination based on your age, race, sex, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability.
• Timely access to medical care, case management services, and support services.
• Complete information regarding all your treatment options and to participate in decisions about your care.
• Refuse treatment if you do not want to proceed with such course of treatment.
• Protection of your privacy and confidentiality.
• The security of your medical information.
• Approve or refuse the release of specific information except when the release is required by law, or permitted by law without your authorization.
• Receive a copy of our agency’s Privacy Practices Notice, which contains detailed information about your rights to privacy and your rights to access to your medical record.

Patient Responsibilities

You are responsible for:

• Providing HOPES with relevant information regarding your medical, sexual, drug and/or alcohol history, and personal or social concerns which may impact your health or medical care to ensure proper HIV/AIDS treatment, care, and referral for needed services.
• Working collaboratively with your providers in developing and carrying out agreed upon treatment plans and clearly communicating your wants and needs.
• Showing respect for other patients and agency workers.
• Reporting any changes in your health to your provider in a timely manner.
• Having all lab tests, x-rays, and other diagnostic procedures done in a timely manner, prior to your scheduled clinic appointment.
• Being on time for scheduled appointments. If you are unable to keep an appointment, you are responsible for calling in a timely manner to cancel or reschedule.
• Avoiding knowingly spreading disease.
• Reporting changes of address, phone number, family composition, and financial information.
• Abstaining from alcohol or illicit drugs when coming for HOPES services. If you are suspected of being under the influence, your appointment may be rescheduled.
• Taking responsibility for maximizing healthy habits, such as exercising, not smoking, and eating a healthy diet.