Policy Statement:

It is the policy of the Suncoast Eye Center to protect the rights of patients and to inform them of their rights, as well as responsibilities. This policy is adapted from the 1998 Patients Bill of Rights Act.

Patient Rights:

Patients have the right to:

• Treatment that is considerate, safe, dignified and respectful. 
• Complete information concerning diagnosis, treatment, evaluation, and prognosis from their physician in terms they can understand. When it is medically inadvisable to give such information to a patient, the information is provided to a person designated by the patient or a legally authorized person. 
• Appropriate privacy. · Receive from their physician the necessary information to enable them to give informed consent prior to any treatment or procedure. 
• Have the opportunity to participate in decisions involving their health care, except when such participation is contraindicated for medical reasons. 
• Refuse to participate in experimental research. 
• Refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the medical consequences of such action. 
• Expect that all communications, patient disclosures, and records are confidential and except when required by law, be given the opportunity to approve or refuse their release. 
• Receive medically necessary treatment without discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, physical handicap or source of payment. 
• Know the identity and professional status of individuals providing services and to know the physician who has primary responsibility for their care. 
• Be informed of their right to change primary or specialty physician if other qualified physicians are available. 
• Consult with a specialist at the patients’ request and expense. 
• Be informed of the need to be referred to another facility or specialty. 
• Expect reasonable continuity of care. 
• To be assured that advertising regarding the competence and capabilities of the Suncoast Eye Center is not misleading. 
• Have honored an advance directive (such as living will, power of attorney for health care/health care surrogate or proxy designation) concerning treatment to the extent permitted by law. 
• To a prompt and reasonable response to questions and requests. 
• To know what patient support services are available, including whether an interpreter is available if he/she does not speak English. 
• To know what rules and regulations apply to his/her conduct. 
• To be given, upon request, full information and necessary counseling on the availability of known financial resources for his/her care. 
• To know, if eligible for Medicare, upon request and in advance of treatment, whether the health care provider or health care facility accepts the Medicare assignment rate. 
• To receive, upon request, prior to treatment, a reasonable estimate of charges for medical care. 
• To receive a copy of a reasonably clear and understandable, itemized bill and, upon request, to have the charges explained. 
• To treatment for any emergency medical condition that will deteriorate from failure to provide treatment. 
• To express grievances regarding any violation of his/her rights, as stated in Florida law, through the grievance procedure of the health care provider or health care facility which served him/her and to the appropriate state licensing agency.

Patient Responsibilities:

Patients are responsible for:

• Providing the Suncoast Eye Center with an accurate past and present medical history regarding present complaints, past illness, hospitalizations, surgeries, existence of advanced directives, medications, allergies, and other pertinent data. 
• Showing behavior that is respectful and considerate to other patients, families, visitors, and personnel of the Suncoast Eye Center. 
• Participating in their treatment. 
• Informing their health care provider or physician immediately if they don’t understand instructions or if they do not believe they will be able to follow them. 
• Notifying their care provider or physician about any changes in their condition. 
• Accepting the consequences of their actions if they refuse or do not participate in their recommended treatment plan. 
• Keeping their scheduled appointment times, and if unable to keep the appointment time to advise the Suncoast Eye Center as soon as possible. 
• Observing safety regulations and policies. 
• Assuring that their financial obligations are fulfilled as promptly as possible. 
• The disposition of their valuables as the Suncoast Eye Center does not assume this responsibility. 
• To keep the Suncoast Eye Center campus smoke free.

Filing Complaints:

If you need to express a specific grievance related to care provided to you, you are responsible to tell your nurse or other healthcare provider.

If you have a complaint against a health care professional and want to receive a complaint form, call the Consumer Services Unit @ 1-888-419-3456 (press 2) or write to: