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Important Message Regarding Your Rights as a Hospital Inpatient

Your Rights While a Hospital Patient

You have the right to receive all of the hospital care that you need for the treatment of your illness or injury. Your discharge date is determined only by YOUR health care needs, not by your DRG category or your insurance.

You have the right to be fully informed about decisions affecting your care and your insurance coverage. ASK QUESTIONS. You have the right to designate a representative to act on your behalf.

You have the right to know about your medical condition. Talk to your doctor about your condition and your health care needs. If you have questions or concerns about hospital services, your discharge date or your discharge plan, consult your doctor or a hospital representative (such as the nurse, social worker or discharge planner).

Before you are discharged you must receive a written DISCHARGE NOTICE and a written DISCHARGE PLAN. You and/or your representative have the right to be involved in your discharge planning.

You have the right to appeal the written discharge plan or notice you receive from the hospital.

If You Think You are Being Asked to Leave the Hospital Too Soon

Be sure you have received the written notice of discharge that the hospital must give you. You need this discharge notice in order to appeal.

This notice will say whom to call and how to appeal. To avoid extra charges you must call to appeal by 12 noon of the day after you receive the notice. If you miss this time you may still appeal. However, you may have to pay for your continued stay in the hospital, if you lose your appeal.

Discharge Plans

In addition to the right to appeal, you have the right to receive a written discharge plan that describes the arrangements for any future health care you may need after discharge. You may not be discharged until the services required in your written discharge plan are secured or determined by the hospital to be reasonably available. You also have the right to appeal this discharge plan.

Patients' Rights*

A general statement of your additional rights as a patient must be provided to you at this time.

For Assistance/Help

The Independent Professional Review Agent (IPRA) for your area and your insurance coverage is to be provided by the hospital.

*This information is now included in this booklet. Patients are provided with a notice of their rights regarding admission and discharge. Medicare patients will be given the “Hospital Admission Notice for Medicare Patients”, and all other patients will be given “An Important Message Regarding Your Rights as a Hospital Inpatient.” Public Health Law 2803 (1) (g) Discharge Review 10NYCRR, 405.9 (b) (14) (i) and 405.9 (b) (14) (ii) Patients (or appointed personal representatives) are provided with a written discharge notice and a copy of a discharge plan. Patients (or their representatives) must be given the opportunity to sign the documents and receive a copy of the signed documents. 10NYCRR, 405.9 (g) (1) and 405.9 (g) (3) (i)