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PRINCIPLES OF PATIENT’S RIGHTS
AND RESPONSIBILITIES

All patients have the right to:

1. Informed consent in treatment decisions, timely access to specialty care, and confidentiality protections.

2. Concise and easily understood information about their coverage.

3. Know how coverage payment decisions are made and how they can be fairly and openly appealed.

4. Complete and easily understood information about the costs of their coverage and care.

5. A reasonable choice of providers and useful information about provider options.

6. Know what provider incentives or restrictions might influence practice patterns.

7. Expect care based on medical necessity and appropriateness.

8. Expect courteous care from providers at all times.

9. Refuse medical treatment or care.

All patients, to the extent capable, have the responsibility to:

1. Pursue healthy lifestyles.

2. Become knowledgeable about their health plans.

3. Actively participate in decisions about their health care.

4. Cooperate fully on mutually accepted courses of treatment.

National Health Council’s Board of Directors, January 30, 1995