At Citrus County Rural Health, Inc., we strive to provide high-quality, affordable primary health care services. We believe that health care is best when it is delivered in a way that respects the preferences and needs of each individual patient. Citrus County Rural Health does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, culture, economics, education, religion, language, age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, presence of a disability, or the source of payment for your care. This document explains both your rights and responsibilities as a patient of Citrus County Rural Health.

As a patient, you have the following rights:

 

Access to Care

• To timely responses to appointment requests or clinical questions, typically within the same day but not longer than 2 business days.

• To receive medical appointments for care in timely manner, typically within 24 hours for sick care and 5 business days for well visits or chronic care.

• To receive care for dental emergencies in a timely manner, typically within 2 business days.

 

Considerate and Respectful Care

• To considerate and respectful care and treatment that prioritizes your comfort, dignity, values and beliefs.

 

Knowledge and Information

• To know the name(s) of the provider(s) who has primary responsibility for coordinating your care, along with the names of other team members who are involved in your care.

• To receive information from your provider and care team in terms you can understand.

• To receive appropriate information about proposed treatment or procedures in order to give informed consent or refuse the course of treatment.

• To understand the cost of services provided to you, including an itemized statement of services.

• To express concerns about your care with the assurance that the issuance of those complaints will not compromise the quality of your care or future access to care and to expect a reasonable and timely response to your concerns.

 

Participation in Care

• To actively participate with your provider in making decisions about your care.

 

Privacy and Confidentiality

• To care that is delivered privately and confidentially. Your visits, discussion, consultation, examination and treatment are confidential and will be conducted discreetly.

• To timely access to your health records, including transfer of records to another provider to whom you have requested records.

 

As a patient, you have the responsibility to:

• Share accurate and complete health information with your provider and care team, including hospitalizations, past illnesses, medications and other information related to your health or wellbeing.

• Participate actively in your care, including asking questions when you are unsure or do not understand your healthcare options.

• Keep scheduled appointments and notify the health center staff if you are not able to make it to your scheduled appointment at least 4 hours before your appointment time.

• Be considerate and respectful of other health center patients, staff and property. Abusive behavior, including physical or verbal actions that intentionally harm or injure another person or verbal actions that intend to harm others will not be tolerated.

• Use appropriate and respectful language when communicating with the health center’s staff.

• Accept responsibility for the consequence of your actions if you do not follow the suggested plan of care, treatment agreements or if you refuse treatment.

• Satisfy your financial obligations for services provided

• In the event of a home visit, provide a safe environment for visiting staff.