Hospice
Learn about Patient Rights
By law, patients receiving hospice care are entitled to all the rights described here.
Access to Information
The hospice patient’s rights to information include:
Cost information. The patient should receive complete information about the hospice organization and how it charges for services. The agency should inform the patient how much payment should be expected from Medicare and other sources and how much he or she will need to contribute to cover costs. The patient must also be informed orally and in writing of any changes in charges within 15 days of when the hospice organization becomes aware of those changes.
Access to bills. The patient should have access, on request, to all bills for services received, regardless of whether they are paid out-of-pocket or by another source.
Ownership status. The patient must be informed of the hospice’s ownership status and its affiliation with any entities to which the patient is referred.
Notification of rights and obligations. The hospice patient must be notified in writing of his or her rights and obligations before hospice care begins. Consistent with state laws, the patient’s family or guardian may exercise the patient’s rights when the patient is unable to do so.
Quality Services
Patients’ rights to quality services include:
Quality care. A hospice organization can admit a particular patient only if it can assure that all necessary services will be provided to promote his or her physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well being. An organization with less than optimal resources may admit the patient if a more appropriate hospice organization is not available, but only after fully informing the patient of its limitations and the lack of suitable alternative arrangements.
Complaint information. Patients must be given information about the procedures to lodge complaints with the hospice organization about care received, or not received. Patients must also be informed about how such complaints are handled.
And hospice organizations must not take any action against residents who voice or file complaints. The organization is required to investigate all claims and to document the existence and the resolution of the complaint.
Respect. The patient has the right to a relationship with the hospice organization that is based on ethical standards of conduct, honesty, dignity, and respect.
Changes in services or staff. A patient should be able to request changes in services or staff and to inform the organization of any complaints without fear of consequences.
Care Disclosures
Hospice patients have the right to know and consent to care plans and changes, including:
Information about services. Patients must be notified in writing of the care the hospice organization will furnish and the frequency of the services that are proposed. They must also be informed about any proposed changes in the plan.
Involvement in planning. A hospice organization must tell patients of the right to participate in planning and changing their care.
Emergency information. The patient must be told what to do or who to contact if an emergency should arise.
Notification of changes. The hospice organization must inform the patient of any changes to his or her care before the changes take place.
Refusal of treatment. A patient can refuse treatment as long as the law permits it and the health care provider explains what might happen if treatment is refused.
Privacy
Patients’ privacy rights include:
Confidential records. The hospice organization must keep records confidential and inform the patient of any policies or procedures regarding their disclosure.
Confidential private life. The hospice organization must keep confidential any information regarding the patient’s financial, social, or health circumstances and what takes place in the home.
