CLIENT RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Home care clients 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;
  • be informed of his or her rights under state law to formulate advanced directives;
  • 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;
  • be referred elsewhere, if denied service solely on his or her inability to pay;
  • voice grievances and suggest changes in service or staff without fear of restraint or discrimination;
  • a fair hearing for any individual to whom any service has been denied, reduced, or terminated, or who is otherwise aggrieved by agency action. The fair hearing procedure shall be set forth by each agency as appropriate to the unique patient situation (i.e., funding source, level of care, diagnosis);
  • be informed of what to do in the event of an emergency; and be advised of the telephone number and hours of operation of the state's home health hot line, which receives questions and complaints about Medicare-certified and state-licensed home care agencies.

Home care clients have the responsibility to:

  • provide a safe environment for the provision of care for the home care staff;
  • keep all weapons in the home away from the work area during visits made by the home care staff;
  • secure aggressive or menacing pets before the home care staff enters the home;
  • repair all hazardous structural barriers;
  • provide complete and accurate information to home care staff;
  • keep your appointment for a home care visit;
  • inform the Clients Services Department (865-246-1957) when you are unable to keep an appointment for a home care visit;
  • participate in developing and following the plan of care;
  • request information about anything that you do not understand, and contact the Client Services Department (865-246-1957) with any concerns or problems regarding services;
  • inform corporation of the existence of your advance directives and any changes you make to them;
  • upon completion of all service appointments, review and sign Progress Notes/Daily Activities Weekly Logs for service quality assurance regulations.

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