Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Patient Rights

As a patient at Benefis Health System, it is your right to:

  1. Receive professional, considerate, and respectful care, including respect for cultural, spiritual, and other psychosocial needs, as well as age and developmental stage, in a safe environment.
  2. Access support services for your psychological and spiritual needs.
  3. Expect that a reasonable effort will be made to assist you regardless of physical or language barriers. Interpreters are available upon request. Use of patient family or friends for interpreter needs is discouraged but may be used at your discretion.
  4. Receive privacy concerning your care, including privacy during examination and treatment and confidentiality of information.
  5. Request a chaperone be present when examined.
  6. Know the identity, occupation, and qualifications of those involved in your care.
  7. Be informed of the level of care and admission status you are being placed in.
  8. Receive information from your provider concerning your diagnosis and options for care and treatment in terms you can understand. This information includes identification of known serious side effects, risks, or potential complications, as well as benefits and treatment alternatives.
  9. Participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care, including, at a minimum, the right to participate in the development and implementation of your inpatient treatment/care plan, outpatient treatment/care plan, discharge plan, and pain management plan.
  10. Receive supportive care, including appropriate management of pain and treatment of uncomfortable symptoms.
  11. Request a copy of your plan of care.
  12. You have the right to reasonable, informed participation in decisions involving your healthcare. To the degree possible, this should be based on a clear and concise explanation of your condition and planned procedures, including potential benefits, the possibilities of any risk of death or serious side effects, problems related to recuperation and probability of success. Before undergoing any procedure, you or your legal representative will voluntarily provide informed consent. You will be informed if medically significant alternatives for care or treatment exist.
  13. You have the right to know who is responsible for authorizing and performing the procedures or treatment.
  14. Request a discharge planning evaluation.
  15. Expect that you will receive a clear explanation of the next steps for your care.
  16. Expect that you will receive information regarding community health resources available, if applicable.
  17. Be informed of any rules or requirements that relate to your care.
  18. Refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and be informed of the medical consequences of such action.
  19. Refuse any research, investigational, or educational projects relating to your care. A provider cannot enroll you in any such projects without your permission.
  20. Provide a written statement of your wishes regarding medical treatment, known as an advance directive, and appoint a representative to make healthcare decisions on your behalf in the event you are unable to communicate wishes regarding care. If you have an advance directive (living will, healthcare agent, POLST, or Five Wishes), please provide a copy upon being seen at Benefis. Once a copy has been provided, it will remain on file in your medical record. If you have questions regarding advance directives, a Benefis employee can assist you.
  21. Participate in discussion of ethical questions that arise in the course of your care, including conflict resolutions, withholding resuscitative services, and forgoing or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. Should you need assistance with this, contact the Benefis Patient Advocacy Program at (406) 455-5838.
  22. Indicate your wish to donate organs and/or tissues in the event of death. Should you need assistance with this, contact the Benefis Patient Advocacy Program at (406) 455-5838.
  23. Review or obtain copies of your medical record upon reasonable notice, written request and payment of any copying charges. Copies may also be requested and accessed online through the Benefis Patient Portal.
  24. Know the costs of your care and request advice from a health benefit advisor to help you understand your insurance benefits and payment options. To speak to one of the Benefis health benefit advisors, call (406) 455-5103 or (406) 455-4269.
  25. Voice concerns about your care, have your concerns reviewed, and have them resolved, when possible.
  26. To be free from all forms of harassment, physical abuse, and mental abuse.
  27. To be free from restraints or seclusion, of any kind, imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff.

Patient Responsibilities

As a Benefis Health System patient, it is your responsibility to:

  1. Provide, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about your past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, present complaints, treatment regiments, and other matters relating to your physical and psychosocial needs.
  2. Report changes in your condition to your provider and other caregivers.
  3. Ask questions if directions, procedures, or treatment plans are unclear to you.
  4. Cooperate with your care team and follow the treatment plan developed by you and your provider. This may include following the instructions of nurses and other members of your care team as they carry out your care plan and follow your provider’s orders.
  5. Follow Benefis rules and be considerate of staff, visitors, and other patients.
  6. Be respectful of the property of others.
  7. Notify your insurance company prior to a scheduled service in order to receive pre-authorization as required.
  8. Provide necessary information for insurance processing and arrange for payment of your financial obligations.
  9. Provide a copy of your advance directives.