Patient Rights & Responsibilities
At U.S. Renal Care and Satellite Healthcare, we want you to feel informed, comfortable, and confident in your care. Understanding your rights and responsibilities as a dialysis patient can help you take an active role in your treatment and make informed decisions about your health. This page serves as a simple guide to help you understand those rights and responsibilities. If you have questions or would like more information, please talk with a member of your care team.
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- You have the right to be treated with respect, dignity, and care for your personal and emotional needs.
- You have the right to receive care in a safe, clean, and comfortable place.
- You have the right to be safe from abuse, neglect, or harm of any kind.
- You have the right to have your care explained to you and give permission to receive care before treatment is provided.
- You have the right to get information in a way you understand, including a free interpreter, if needed.
- You have the right to privacy during your treatment. Your medical information will be kept private, and you can ask for a copy of your medical record in writing.
- You have the right to take part in your care, refuse treatment, and learn what could happen if you do.
- You have the right to say no to research or teaching activities and to learn the risks and benefits.
- You have the right to learn about advanced directives and how to share your wishes.
- You have the right to learn about all your treatment choices, including transplant, home dialysis, in-center dialysis, or no treatment. You can also get information about treatment and scheduling options not offered here.
- You have the right to learn about the facility’s care policies, including rules when patients may need to be kept separate from others.
- You have the right to know your health condition from your care team, unless there is a medical reason not to share it.
- You have the right to learn about services, costs not covered by Medicare, and ask for help with financial resources or a detailed bill.
- You have the right to get the care you need, be part of your care team, and have your concerns answered as quickly as possible.
- You have the right to get emergency care right away, without delay or unfair treatment based on ability to pay.
- You have the right to get a copy of the facility’s rules and what is expected of you.
- You have the right to file a complaint or grievance without fear of losing your care. You may file a complaint yourself, anonymously, or through someone you choose to help you.
- You have the right to learn about the facility’s rules for transfer, discharge, and stopping services.
- You have the right to get a written notice 30 days before an involuntary discharge, unless there is an immediate safety risk, and to be given a chance to improve before dismissal.
- You have the right to learn about emergency care available after hours.
- You have the right to know if the facility is part of teaching or research and to give permission before joining any study.
- You have the right to know the names and roles of the people caring for you.
- You have the right to be free from improper restraints or medications used for control or convenience.
- You have the right to be told if equipment or supplies are reused.
- You have the right to get help from a family member or someone you choose to understand and protect your rights.
- You are responsible for following your diet, taking your medicines, coming to dialysis, taking care of yourself between treatments.
- You are responsible for following the facility’s rules to help keep everyone safe and support high-quality care.
- You are responsible for learning as much as you can about your kidney disease and your treatment.
- You are responsible for arriving on time for treatment, wearing appropriate clothing, and letting the facility know ahead of time if you can’t come.
- You are responsible for treating staff, other patients, and families with kindness and respect.
- You are responsible for not threatening others, acting violently, or using offensive language.
- You are responsible for not bringing weapons or illegal drugs into the facility.
- You are responsible for talking openly with staff and telling them about any changes in your health.
- You are responsible for taking part in planning your care.
- You are responsible for sharing needed insurance and payment information with the facility.
- You are responsible for signing forms needed for insurance, billing, or financial help programs.
- You are responsible for arranging your transportation to and from the facility, with help if needed.
- You are responsible for understanding the risks of refusing treatment and what could happen if you stop treatment early.
- You are responsible for completing or cooperating with medical tests and exams ordered by your doctor.
- You are responsible for asking questions from your care team if you do not understand your rights, responsibilities, treatment or care plan.
- You are responsible for taking care of your personal items and not bringing valuables to the facility.
Questions or Concerns
We encourage patients to first speak with a member of your trusted care team, the clinic manager, or local operations leadership team. Many questions and concerns can be addressed quickly at the clinic level.
If you do not feel your concern has been resolved, feel uncomfortable raising it locally, or would prefer to share feedback directly with Corporate (including anonymously, if desired), you may contact our We Care Program through one of the methods listed below:
- Corporate Toll-Free Line at 1.866.671.8772
- General Patient Feedback Form
Civil Rights Complaints
If you believe you have been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, you have the right to file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. You can:
- File online through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal
- Call 1.800.368.1019 (TTY: 1.800.537.7697)
- Submit a complaint by mail
More information is available from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights.