We see this relationship as a partnership, and we are dedicated to upholding your rights. We also expect that you will understand and abide by the responsibilities we have outlined. Quality care depends on active participation and direct communication on our part and yours. These rights and responsibilities define the parameters of our care relationship.
Every relationship you have with a health care provider includes certain rights and responsibilities.
You Have the Right...
- To be treated with dignity, respect, and consideration.
- To serious consideration of your cultural beliefs and traditions concerning illness, wellness, and treatment.
- To receive service that is dedicated to understanding your needs as an individual with a unique identity.
- To receive all indicated treatment regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, or any other status protected by law.
- To have a safe, secure, clean, and accessible environment.
- To have privacy in verbal and written communication, counseling, testing, examination, and treatment.
- To have your medical and counseling records maintained in a confidential manner.
- We will release your records to third parties only with your written permission, unless required to do so by law—as in the case of a valid subpoena or court order.
- Information will not be released to your family without your permission.
- You may review and receive copies of your health records unless there is a legally supportable basis for not doing so.
- To review your health records with a health care provider.
- To know the name and role of your health care clinician or counselor.
- To select and to change clinician or counselor within the Center for Health & Wellbeing.
- To receive a second opinion from another Center for Health & Wellbeing clinician/counselor.
- To participate in decisions about your health care.
- To be given, to the degree known, the positive and negative facts concerning your diagnosis, treatment, and predicted outcome.
- To understand WHY we ask you for certain information and to understand HOW tests and procedures will be conducted.
- To refuse any tests, procedures, or treatment that you do not understand or do not want.
- To be told about the likely outcomes should you refuse a test, procedure, or treatment—or what may happen if you don't follow your clinician's recommendations.
- To expect reasonable continuity of care.
- To grant or deny permission for anyone not directly involved in your care to be present at discussions, consultations, examinations, or during treatment.
- To consent or refuse to participate in any research affecting your care.
- To consent or refuse health interns as your care clinician/counselor.
- To receive information regarding the scope, availability, and cost of CHWB services.
- To examine your medical bill and have it explained to you, regardless of who is responsible for payment.
- To have medical information released to a person (someone designated by you or some other legally authorized person) if—as happens in some rare cases—concern for your physical or mental health makes it inadvisable to provide it to you directly.
- To express your wishes concerning your future care: You have the right to choose a person to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so and to express your choices about your future care. These choices may be expressed in such documents as a power of attorney for health care decisions, advanced directive (health care proxy), or living will. You should inform your family and your clinician of your wishes and give them any documents which describe your wishes concerning future care.
- To communicate to the Center for Health & Wellbeing any grievance, suggestion or other feedback about the care or services you received.
You Have the Responsibility...
- To arrive at your appointments on time or to give timely notice of cancellation.
- To identify yourself and give your clinician/counselor complete and honest information about your present and past medical conditions.
- To tell us promptly if anything changes, including if any symptoms or concerns worsen.
- To never lend your personal identification to others. This may lead to entries in the wrong health record or errors in treatment.
- To cooperate with your clinician/counselor in planning your treatment.
- To share your relevant beliefs.
- To discuss your plans to follow through on recommended tests, treatments, or necessary changes in your health behavior.
- To use medication appropriately and not give your medications to others.
- To follow up with your clinician/counselor, if requested. And be sure to let him or her know if you decide to be cared for by another provider, family physician, specialist, or alternative healer.
- To inform your health care provider if you do not clearly understand your treatment plan and what is expected of you. If you believe you cannot follow through with your treatment, you are responsible for telling your clinician/counselor.
- To understand that your health depends not just on care provided, but also on the decisions you make in your daily life, such as use of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs, diet, exercise, rest, or ignoring care recommendations.
- To be conscientious about following your provider's instructions, making follow-up appointments or phone calls, and using medication or contraceptives as directed.
- To know the limits of your health care benefits. Insurance benefits vary depending on your plan. An explanation of benefits is usually contained in your insurance program's booklet. (Information about the UVM-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan is available on our website, at https://www.uvm.edu/health/insurance).
- To be responsible for paying any money you owe on time and as required.
- To be considerate of health care professionals, staff, and other patients/clients, and to respect the property of the University, the Center for Health & Wellbeing, and the property of others.
- To enhance the quality of care and education services at UVM by giving us feedback about the care you received at the Center for Health & Wellbeing.