Rights

• I have the right to be told about my rights and responsibilities.
• I have the right to be treated with respect.
• I have the right to privacy. My medical records can’t be shared with anyone, unless I say so.
• I have the right to meet with my whole health care team to plan my treatment.
• I have the right to see the dietitian for help with food planning and the social worker for counseling.
• I have the right to be told about my health in a way that I understand.
• I have the right to be told about and to choose my treatment options.
• I have the right to be told about any tests ordered for me and the test results.
• I have the right to be told about the services offered at the center.
• I have the right to be told about the process of dialysis and dialyzer re-use.
• I have the right to be told about any expenses that I have to pay for if they’re not covered by insurance or Medicare.
• I have the right to be told about any financial help available to me.
• I have the right to accept or refuse any treatment or medicine my doctor orders for me.
• I have the right to be told about the rules at the treatment center (for example, rules for visitors, eating, personal conduct).
• I have the right to choose if I want to be part of any research studies.

Patients’ Rights and Responsibilities 

• Learn how to file a complaint about your quality of care
• Contact information for State Survey Agencies

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Responsibilities

• I need to treat other patients and staff as I would like to be treated, with respect.
• I need to pay my bills on time. If this is hard for me, I can ask about a payment plan.
• I need to tell my health care team if I refuse any treatment or medicine that my doctor has ordered for me.
• I need to tell my health care team if I don’t understand my medical condition or treatment plan.
• I need to be on time for my treatments or when I see my doctor.
• I need to tell the staff at the center if I know that I’m going to be late or miss a treatment or visit with my doctor.
• I need to tell my health care team if I have medical problems, am going to the dentist, am being treated by another doctor, or have recently been to the hospital.
• I need to follow the rules of the center.
• I need to get to and from the center for my treatments. I can talk with my social worker if I need help doing this. Medicare doesn’t pay for transportation.