Purpose
Patients are encouraged to read this information to understand their rights at HEARTLAND HEALTH SERVICES (hereafter HHS). If you have any concerns about your rights, please ask any staff member to contact an HHS Manager or Director for assistance.
Civil Rights
1. Patients have the right to considerate and respectful treatment in an environment free from harm.
2. Patients seeking services shall not be denied, suspended or terminated from services or have services reduced for exercising any of their rights.
Discrimination
1. Patients have the right to receive services regardless of age, sex, race, creed, color, religion, ethnic origin, ancestry, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or criminal record.
2. Patients may receive services without regard to one’s ability to pay; if you are unable to pay the full fee for services, a sliding fee scale is available to you. You may examine and receive an explanation of your bill of services.
3. No recipient of services is presumed legally incompetent except as determined by a court. Patients have the right to present any complaint or grievance on matters pertaining to services received or any perceived or actual violation of rights.
Treatment
1. A recipient of services shall be provided with adequate and humane care and in the least restrictive environment, pursuant to an individualized service plan. When appropriate, recipient’s nearest kin or guardian shall be involved in the treatment/service plan.
2. Patients have the right to know of the variety of services that may be available, including emergency services, to choose their health care provider, and to participate in the planning of treatment.
3. Patients may refuse treatment at any time, and patients have the right to be informed of the consequences resulting from the refusal of treatment.
4. Seclusion will not be used as a means of intervention for any recipient services.
Confidentiality
1. Patients will receive confidential treatment; all clinical records and client information are protected by law, regulations and center policies. For the purposes of funding, certification, licensure, audit, research or other legitimate purpose, your clinical record may be used by the person conducting the review to the extent that is necessary to accomplish the purpose of the review.
2. Patient information released to or requested from other sources requires your written consent.
3. Patient records can be subpoenaed by court order and does not require your signature for release of information.
4. Patients have the right to review and obtain a copy of their clinical record in accordance with HHS policy.
HHS Responsibility
1. In the case of suspected child abuse or neglect, HHS is required by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act to report any suspected incidents of neglect or abuse. HHS also has the ethical obligation to report suspected maltreatment of senior citizens or adults.
2. If at any time patients present a clear and present danger to yourself or to others, HHS staff may release information that is required to protect you or others.
3. HHS may restrict or terminate delivery of services to patients who have been evaluated and determined as posing a serious physical threat to staff or others.
Effective Date: 05/01/2022
DOWNLOAD PATIENT RIGHTS ENGLISH PDF
DOWNLOAD PATIENT RIGHTS SPANISH PDF
Notice of Privacy
Protected Health Information (PHI) about you is maintained as a written and/or electronic record of your contacts or visits from healthcare services without practice. Specifically, PHI is information about you, including demographic information (i.e., name, address, phone, etc.), that may identify you and relates to your past, present or future physical or mental health condition and related healthcare services.
Heartland Health Services (HHS) is required to follow specific rules on maintaining the confidentiality of your PHI, using your information and disclosing or sharing this information with other healthcare professionals involved in your care and treatment. HHS’ Notice of Privacy Practices describes your rights to access and control your PHI. It also describes how we follow applicable rules and uses to disclose your PHI to provide your treatment, obtain payment for services you receive, manage our healthcare operations and for the purposes that are permitted or required by law.
The following is an overview of you Rights and how we may disclose your Protected Health Information (PHI).
Your Rights Under the Privacy Rule:
• You have the right to receive, and we are required to provide you with, a copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices.
• You have the tight to authorize other use and disclosure.
• You have the right to request alternative means of confidential communication.
• You have the right to inspect and copy your PHI.
• You have the right to request a restriction to your PHI.
• You have the right to request an amendment to your PHI.
• You have the right to request a disclosure accountability.
• You have the right to receive a privacy breach notice.
How we may use or disclose protected health information:
• Treatment
• Special notes
• Payment
• Healthcare operations
• Health information organization
• To others involved in your healthcare
• Other permitted and required uses and disclosures
• Business associates
• Health information exchange
• Accountable care organizations
• Incidental eses and disclosures
• Patient assistance programs
• Student immunizations
GRIEVANCES OR FURTHER INQUIRIES
If you believe that HHS has violated your privacy rights with respect to individually identifiable health information, you may file a complaint with HHS and/or directly to the Department of Health and Human Services. To file a complaint with HHS, please contact HHS’s Compliance Officer at 309-647-7609. HHS will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
AMENDMENTS
HHS reserves the right to amend the terms of this Privacy Notice at any time and to apply the revised Privacy Notice to all individually identifiable health information that it maintains. If HHS amends this Privacy Notice, a copy will be available upon your request and on our website on or after its effective date. Effective Date: 11/1/2013
DOWNLOAD NOTICE OF PRIVACY PDF
