Patient Bill of Rights

Integrated Health Centers of West Virginia (IHCWV) adopts and affirms, as policy, the following rights of patients and clients who receive services from IHCWV employees and health care providers. 

This policy affords you, the patient/client, the following rights:

1. Considerate and respectful care.
2. Receive, upon request, the name of the person in charge of your care.
3. The name and function of any person providing services to you.
4. Obtain from the person responsible for your health care complete and current information concerning your diagnosis, treatment, and expected outlook in terms you can be reasonably expected to understand.  When it is not medically advisable to give such information to you, the information shall be made available to an appropriate person on your behalf.
5. Receive information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure and/or treatment, except for emergency situations.  This information shall include as a minimum:  an explanation of the specific procedure or treatment itself; its value and significant risks; and an explanation of other possible treatment methods.
6. Refusal of treatment and to be informed of the medical or other consequences of your action.
7. Privacy to the extent consistent with adequate medical care.  Care discussions, consultation, examination, and treatment are confidential and should be conducted with adequate discretion.
8. Privacy and confidentiality of all records pertaining to your treatment, except as otherwise provided by law or third-party payment contract.
9. A reasonable response to your request for services customarily rendered at the facility, and consistent with your treatment.
10. Expect reasonable continuity of care and to be informed, by the person responsible for  your health care, of possible continuing health care requirements.
11. The identity, upon request, of all health care personnel and health care institutions  authorized to assist in your treatment.
12. Refuse to participate in research.  Human experimentation affecting care or treatment shall be performed only with your informed consent.
13. Upon request, examine and receive an itemized explanation of your bill, regardless of  source of payment.
14. Knowledge of the facility's rules and regulations that apply to your conduct as a patient.
15. Treatment without discrimination as to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin,  source of payment, political belief or handicap.