Privacy Policies and Patient Bill of Rights

• You have a right to be involved in all aspects of your care and treatment.
• You have a right to confidentiality of all records and communications concerning our medical history and treatment to the extent provided by law.
• You have a right to a prompt response to all reasonable requests.
• You have a right to request and receive an explanation as to the relationship, if any, of this health center and your doctor to any other health care facility or educational institution insofar as any such relationship relates to your care.
• You have a right to request and receive information about financial assistance and free health care.
• You have a right to obtain a copy of any rules or regulations of this health center that apply to your conduct as a patient.
• You have a right upon request to inspect your medical records and, for a reasonable fee, to receive a copy.
• You have a right to receive a copy of your medical record free if you show that your request is to support a claim or appeal under any provisions of the Social Security Act in any federal or state financial needs-based benefit program.
• You have a right to refuse to be observed, examined or treated by students or any other staff without jeopardizing your access to care.
• You have a right to refuse to participate as a research subject.
• You have a right to the extent reasonably possible to privacy during medical treatment or other care.
• You have a right to prompt life-saving treatment without discrimination due to economic status or source of payment.
• You have a right to informed consent to the extent provided by law.
• You have a right if suffering from any type of cancer, and specifically breast cancer, to receive information on all alternative treatments that are medically viable.
• You have a right to receive competent interpreter services when seeking healthcare at the Lynn Community Health Center.
• You have a right to request and receive an itemized explanation of your health center bill.
• You have a right if you are a maternity patient, to receive information about the health center’s annual rate of Caesarian sections and related statistics.
• You have a right to expect that your pain and symptoms will be assessed and treated with the goal of minimizing your experience of pain and discomfort, to the extent clinically possible. Patients are encouraged to tell their caregivers about their pain and discomfort experiences and their responses to treatment, to best facilitate their pain and symptom management.

If you would like a copy of the detailed Patient Bill of Rights, please ask us. You may also talk with a Health Center administrator or file a written comment with your concerns, complaints, or suggestions. If you would like assistance, ask the receptionist.