Home care patient rights

Federal law requires that all individuals receiving home care services be informed of their rights as a patient. The National Association for Home Care has developed a model patient bill of rights based on the patient rights currently enforced by law.

Home care patients have the right to:

* be fully informed of all his or her rights and responsibilities by the home care agency
* choose care providers
* appropriate and professional care in accordance with physician orders
* receive a timely response from the agency to his or her request for service * be admitted for service only if the agency has the ability to provide safe, professional care at the level of intensity needed
* receive reasonable continuity of care
* receive information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any treatment or procedure
* be advised of any change in the plan of care, before the change is made
refuse treatment within the confines of the law and to be informed of the consequences of his or her action
* have health care providers comply with advance directives in accordance with state law requirements
* be informed within reasonable time of anticipated termination of service or plans for transfer to another agency
* be fully informed of agency policies and charges for services, including eligibility for third-party reimbursements