Gynecology and Abortion Patient Rights

  • You have the right to accurate and easily understood information about your health plan, health care professionals, and health care facilities.
  • You have the right to choose health care providers who can give you high-quality care when you need it.
  • You have the right to be screened or stabilized using emergency services.
  • You have a right to considerate, respectful care from your doctors, health plan representatives, and other health care providers that does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, genetic information or source of payment.
  • You have the right to ask about the pros and cons of any procedure/treatment. You have the right to refuse any test or treatment, even if it means you have a bad health outcome as a result. You can also legally choose who speaks for you if you cannot make your own decisions.
  • You have the right to talk privately with health care providers and have your health care information protected. You also have the right to read and copy you own medical record.
  • You have the right to a fair, fast and objective review of any complaint you have against your health plan, doctors, hospitals or other health care personnel. This includes complaints about waiting times, operating hours, the actions of health care personnel, and the adequacy of health care facilities.

Patient Responsibilities

  • Patients must inform their health care providers about any medicines they are taking, and about health conditions and medical or surgical problems in the past or present.
  • Patients must ask questions or request further information from health care providers if they do not completely understand health information and instructions.
  • Patients must also take responsibility for their lifestyles to help improve their own health (for instance, following a treatment plan, exercising, etc).
  • Patients are expected to treat health care workers and other patients with respect, try to pay their medical bills, and follow the rules and benefits of their health care coverage.