Federal law requires that all individuals receiving
home care services be informed of their rights as a patient.
Following is a model patient bill of rights the National Association
for Home Care (NAHC) has developed, based on the patient rights
currently enforced by law.
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be fully informed of all his or her rights and
responsibilities by the home care agency
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choose care providers
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appropriate and professional care in accordance
with physician orders
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receive a timely response from the agency to his
or her request for service
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be admitted for service only if the agency has the
ability to provide safe, professional care at the level of
intensity needed
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receive reasonable continuity of care
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receive information necessary to give informed
consent prior to the start of any treatment of procedure
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be advised of any change in the plan of care,
before the change is made
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refuse treatment within the confines of the law
and to be informed of the consequences of his or her action
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be informed of his or her rights under state law
to formulate advanced directives
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have health care providers comply with advance
directives in accordance with state law requirements
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be informed within reasonable time of anticipated
termination of service or plans for transfer to another agency
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be fully informed of agency policies and charges
of services, including eligibility for third-party reimbursements
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be referred elsewhere, if denied service solely on
his or her inability to pay
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voice grievances and suggest changes in service or
staff without fear of restraint or discrimination
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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)
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be informed of what to do in the event of an
emergency, and
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be advised of the telephone number and hours of
operation of the state's home health hot line, which receives
questions and complaints about Medicare-certified and
state-licensed home care agencies
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NAHC's affiliate, the Hospice Association of
America, has developed the following model bill of rights for all
individuals receiving hospice care. It also is based on the
patient rights currently enforced by law
If you are in need of further assistance concerning
your rights as a patient of Home Health Services, please call our
office at (309) 245-0723 or follow this link to the
National Association for Home Care
website.
