Patient's Bill of Rights and Responsibilities

We want you to know what you can expect from us, and what we ask of you. These apply at both our Clear Lake City and Texas City offices.

Your Rights as a Patient

You and the person you designate to make health care decisions on your behalf have the right to:

• Be treated with courtesy and respect, with regard for your dignity and your privacy.
• Receive care in a safe setting from qualified staff.
• Be free from abuse and harassment of any kind.
• Receive a prompt, reasonable response to your questions and requests.
• Know who is providing your care and who is responsible for it.
• Know what support services are available to you, including interpretation and accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Know the rules that apply to your conduct as a patient.
• Bring someone with you into patient areas while you receive care or talk with your provider, unless their presence would create a safety risk or cannot reasonably be accommodated.
• Be given information about your diagnosis, your planned course of treatment, the alternatives to it, the risks involved, and your prognosis.
• Refuse any treatment, except as otherwise provided by law.
• Be told what financial resources are available to help pay for your care.
• Know whether we accept the Medicare assignment rate, if you are covered by Medicare.
• Receive a reasonable estimate of charges before treatment.
• Receive an itemized bill you can understand, and have the charges explained if you ask.
• Receive care regardless of your race, national origin, religion, disability, or how you pay for it.
• Receive treatment for an emergency medical condition that would get worse without it.
• Know whether any part of your treatment is experimental research, and to consent to or refuse taking part.
• Voice a complaint without fear of reprisal, including a complaint that your rights have been violated.
• Choose your provider, refuse a provider, and change providers when another qualified provider is available.

Your Responsibilities as a Patient

You and the person you designate to make health care decisions on your behalf are responsible for:

• Giving us accurate information about your symptoms, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and anything else affecting your health.
• Telling us when your condition changes unexpectedly.
• Telling us when you do not understand a planned course of treatment or what is expected of you.
• Following the treatment plan you and your provider agree on.
• Keeping your appointments, and letting us know when you cannot.
• The outcome if you refuse treatment or do not follow your provider’s instructions.
• Treating our physicians and staff with respect.
• Meeting your financial obligations for the care you receive.
• Following the conduct rules that apply in our offices.
• Arranging for a responsible adult to drive you and stay with you as directed, when you have a procedure involving sedation.

Questions or Complaints

If you have a concern about your care or believe your rights have not been respected, tell us. You can reach us at either office:

• Clear Lake City: (832) 632-1764
• Texas City: (409) 945-5444
• Email: dr@drpatelcardiology.com

Raising a concern will not affect the care you receive.

For concerns about the privacy of your health information, see our Notice of Privacy Practices .