Patient Information and Payments

Overview

As a medical home, Falls Community Health is recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance for quality care that is patient-centered, coordinated, and accessible.

Code of Conduct for Patients

In an effort to provide a safe and healthy environment for staff, visitors, patients and their families, Falls Community Health visitors, patients and accompanying family members are to refrain from unacceptable behaviors that are disruptive or pose a threat to the rights or safety of other patients and staff.

The following behaviors are prohibited:

• Physical assault, arson or inflicting bodily harm
• Throwing objects
• Making verbal threats to harm another individual or destroy property
• Intentionally damaging equipment or property
• Making frightening gestures
• Attempting to intimidate or harass other individuals
• Making harassing, offensive or intimidating statements (including cursing), or threats of violence through phone calls, letters, voicemail, email, or other forms of written, verbal or electronic communication
• Racial or cultural slurs or other insulting remarks associated with, but not limited to, race, language or sexuality

If you are subjected to any of these behaviors or witness inappropriate behavior, please report to any staff member. Violators are subject to repercussions up to and including removal from the facility and/or discharge from the practice.

Patient's Responsibilities

1. You have the responsibility to keep scheduled appointments, and if unable to keep them because of unavoidable circumstances, please call and cancel the appointment and arrange for an alternate appointment.
2. You have the responsibility to explain fully to your husband/ wife/friend the medical care plan you have chosen for yourself or a family member so both may take part in responsible health care.
3. You have a responsibility to see that you and your family have the recommended yearly medical examination to protect your family’s health.
4. You have a responsibility to follow instructions and directions given to you that will aid you or a family member in effectively using the chosen medical care plan.
5. You have a responsibility to call and/or come to the center to get the necessary medication in advance of when you or a family member must have the necessary medication in order to prevent an unnecessary lapse in health care treatment.
6. You have a responsibility to notify Falls Community Health staff of problems you or a family member are having with the chosen medical care plan so the problem can be corrected.
7. You have a responsibility to inform Falls Community Health should you choose to transfer your family’s medical care to another facility so we can help to provide continuity of care by providing you with your family’s records.
8. You have the responsibility to assist Falls Community Health in maintaining a high quality of patient care by reporting problems and/or grievances and by offering comments and/or suggestions for improvement. You and your family’s input is valuable to our staff and center.

Patient's Rights

1. You have the right to receive services regardless of sex, age, marital status, race, color, national origin, religion, creed, handicap, or physical disability, and no service shall be denied because of inability to pay.
2. You have a right to know when you enter our center what rules and regulations will apply to you.
3. You have a right to an explanation, in language you can understand, of your health status, or the care you will receive and of your right to refuse service.
4. You have the right to the information necessary to enable you to give informed consent before your care begins.
5. You have the right to be referred to an outside agency or service, and you have the final decision on which agency or service is accessed.
6. You have a right to an explanation of how the fee you are charged for our service is arrived at through the use of your family size and income—a sliding fee scale based on your ability to pay.
7. You have the right to be treated with courtesy and respect.
8. You have the right to privacy.
9. You have a right to expect that your health care will be handled confidentially.
10. You have the right to expect confidential treatment of your personal and medical records and may approve or refuse their release to any individual outside the facility, except in case of transfer to another service within our program, or so required by law or third-party payment contract.
11. You have a right to complete information about your health care and treatment contained in your records at Falls Community Health.
12. You have a right to direction and an explanation of the use of chosen plan or care so you can follow directions properly, and you will be informed when you will next need to be seen to continue effective and safe health care.
13. You have a right to know where you may receive emergency service should one occur at a time when Falls Community Health is closed.
14. You have a right to know if Falls Community Health would like you to participate in a learning experience for our staff and to choose whether or not you care to cooperate.
15. You have the right to be informed and the right to refuse to participate in any experimental research that’s being conducted at Falls Community Health.
16. You have the right to file a grievance and the right to have a written response from Falls Community Health.