Help Take an Active Role in your Health Care.

Rights and Responsibilities

Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Patient

You have certain rights and responsibilities as a patient in a Minnesota outpatient mental health clinic. These rights and responsibilities help you take an active role in your health care and promote your well-being and recovery. Please read the following information and ask your provider if you have any questions.

Your Rights

You have a right to:

  1. Receive medical and personal care that is:
    a. courteous and respectful;
    b. based upon your specific needs

  2. Know the name and credentials of the doctor or other healthcare provider who is responsible for coordinating or providing your care

  3. Have complete and current information about your treatment so you can make informed decisions; this includes:
    a. knowing the diagnosis, treatment, alternatives, risks and most likely results
    b. having the information stated in terms and words you understand
    c. having a family member or other chosen person present when you talk with your health care provider if you wish

  4. Refuse care

  5. Refuse to participate in research

  6. Have privacy for medical and personal care; this includes:
    a. discussions, exams, treatments, medical records (except where a release of records is authorized by law)
    b. personal hygiene activities

  7. See a copy of your medical records as allowed by law

  8. Have personal privacy with respect to your preferences (cultural, social or religious preferences) and for communications with others (phone calls, mail)

  9. Receive care in a safe setting, free from abusive or harassing behavior

  10. Change health care providers if you wish

  11. Have an interpreter provided at no charge

  12. Be provided assistance for visual, hearing, cognitive or other communication impairments;

  13. Know what services are available at the facility

  14. Know whom to contact for after-hours and emergency care

  15. A list of doctors who have financial interest or ownership in the facility

  16. Know the fees for services and payment policies

  17. Develop an advance directive and to have health care providers respect your wishes as permitted by law and facility policy

  18. Quick and reasonable response to your questions and requests

  19. Know the method for providing feedback, including complaints

  20. Make a formal grievance and recommend changes in the facility’s policies or services without fear of revenge or punishment.

Your Responsibilities

You are responsible for:

  1. Showing respect and consideration for the facility staff, other patients, and property

  2. Providing accurate and complete information about your health and reporting any changes in it

  3. Following the care or treatment plan prescribed by your provider and participate in your care

  4. Provide a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours, if required by your provider

  5. Paying for charges related to your care not covered by your insurance

If you wish to have a detailed copy of the Health Care Bill of Rights, please ask one of the Canopy staff members to provide you with one (MN Stat. 144.651).