Patients’ Bill of Rights

Be Well is a New York State Article 28 Diagnostic and Treatment Center, and every patient here is protected by the rights set out in 10 NYCRR Section 751.9. As a patient in a clinic in New York State, you have the right, consistent with law, to:

Receive service(s) without regard to age, race, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, sex, gender identity, national origin or sponsor.
Be treated with consideration, respect and dignity, including privacy in treatment.
Be informed of the services available at the center.
Be informed of the provisions for off-hour emergency coverage.
Be informed of and receive an estimate of the charges for services, view a list of the health plans and the hospitals that the center participates with, eligibility for third-party reimbursements and, when applicable, the availability of free or reduced cost care.
Receive an itemized copy of your account statement, upon request.
Obtain from your health care practitioner, or the practitioner’s delegate, complete and current information concerning your diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in terms you can reasonably be expected to understand.
Receive from your physician the information necessary to give informed consent before any non-emergency procedure or treatment — including the specific procedure or treatment, the reasonably foreseeable risks, and the alternatives for care, as a reasonable medical practitioner under similar circumstances would disclose.
Refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law, and be fully informed of the medical consequences of that decision.
Refuse to participate in experimental research.
Voice grievances and recommend changes in policies and services to the center’s staff, the operator and the New York State Department of Health without fear of reprisal.
Express complaints about the care and services provided and have the center investigate them. If you ask, the center must give you or your designee a written response within 30 days indicating the findings of the investigation, and must tell you that if you are not satisfied you may complain to the New York State Department of Health.
Privacy and confidentiality of all information and records pertaining to your treatment.
Approve or refuse the release or disclosure of the contents of your medical record to any health care practitioner or facility, except as required by law or third-party payment contract.
Access your medical record under Section 18 of the Public Health Law and Subpart 50-3.
Authorize those family members and other adults who will be given priority to visit, consistent with your ability to receive visitors.
When applicable, make known your wishes regarding anatomical gifts. People sixteen years of age or older may consent to donate their organs, eyes and/or tissues upon their death by enrolling in the NYS Donate Life Registry or documenting authorization in writing — a health care proxy, will, donor card, or other signed paper. The health care proxy form is available from the center.
View a list of the health plans and the hospitals that the center participates with.
Receive an estimate of the amount you will be billed after services are rendered.

Download or print

The official New York State Department of Health notice is available here in four languages:

If you have a concern about your care, speak with any member of our staff first — we would rather hear it and fix it. You may also contact the New York State Department of Health directly at any time.