Current through Register 47, No. 25, June 25, 2025
(a) The
governing authority shall establish written policies regarding the rights of
the patient and shall ensure the development of procedures implementing such
policies. These rights, policies and procedures shall afford each patient the
right to:
(1) be informed of these rights,
and the right to exercise such rights, in writing prior to the initiation of
care, as evidenced by written documentation in the clinical record;
(2) be given a statement of the services
available by the agency and related charges;
(3) be advised before care is initiated of
the extent to which payment for agency services may be expected from any third
party payors and the extent to which payment may be required from the patient;
(i) the agency shall advise the patient of
any changes in information provided under this paragraph or paragraph (2) of
this subdivision as soon as possible, but no later than 30 calendar days from
the date the agency becomes aware of the change;
(ii) all information required by this
paragraph shall be provided to the patient both orally and in
writing;
(4) be informed
of all services the agency is to provide, when and how services will be
provided, and the name and functions of any person and affiliated agency
providing care and services;
(5)
participate in the planning of his or her care and be advised in advance of any
changes to the plan of care;
(6)
refuse care and treatment after being fully informed of and understanding the
consequences of such actions;
(7)
be informed of the procedures for submitting patient complaints;
(8) voice complaints and recommend changes in
policies and services to agency staff, the New York State Department of Health
or any outside representative of the patient's choice. The expression of such
complaints by the patient or his/her designee shall be free from interference,
coercion, discrimination or reprisal;
(9) submit patient complaints about the care
and services provided or not provided and complaints concerning lack of respect
for property by anyone furnishing service on behalf of the agency, to be
informed of the procedure for filing such complaints, and to have the agency
investigate such complaints in accordance with the provisions of section
766.9(j) of this
Part. The agency is also responsible for notifying the patient or his/her
designee that if the patient is not satisfied by the response the patient may
complain to the Department of Health's Office of Health Systems
Management;
(10) be treated with
consideration, respect and full recognition of his/her dignity and
individuality;
(11) privacy,
including confidential treatment of patient records, and to refuse release of
records to any individual outside the agency except in the case of the
patient's transfer to a health care facility, or as required by law or
third-party payment contract; and
(12) refuse consent to advanced tasks
performed by an advanced home health aide, in which case the agency shall
provide for the performance of such tasks by a registered professional
nurse.
(b) The governing
authority shall make all personnel providing patient care services on behalf of
the agency aware of the rights of patients and the responsibility of personnel
to protect and promote the exercise of such rights.
(c) If a patient lacks capacity to exercise
these rights, the rights shall be exercised by an individual, guardian or
entity legally authorized to represent the patient.