Patient Rights and Responsibilities

As a patient, you have a right to:

1. Health care regardless of race, color, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or based on the exercise of rights secured by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
2. Be treated with respect for personal dignity and privacy.
3. Confidentiality of medical records: State and federal law forbids the release of medical records without the written consent of the patient, except in specific situations where the law requires the UHC to release information.
4. Know the identity of the healthcare provider and the credentials of the professional providing services.
5. Expect clear explanations of diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and prognosis. When it is medically inadvisable to provide such information to a patient, it is given to a person designated by the patient or to a legally authorized individual.
6. Be informed about any risks of mortality or serious side effects associated with the treatment.
7. The opportunity to participate in decisions related to your health care.
8. Know what alternatives exist for healthcare and treatment.
9. Refuse treatment or leave the UHC against your doctor's advice to the extent permitted by law, and you have the right to be informed of the consequences of those decisions.
10. Request information regarding:
    1. your rights as a patient,
    2. your responsibilities as a patient,
    3. available services,
    4. hours of operation,
    5. provisions for after-hours and emergency coverage,
    6. fee schedules for services, payment policies, and explanation of your individual bill, and
    7. data contained in your medical record.
11. Treatment by the healthcare provider of your choice, the option to change providers, and/or being informed of specialists available to meet your healthcare needs.
12. A second opinion or referral.
13. Know if treatment involves experimental or research methods and the right to refuse to participate.
14. Know if the examination is by a health professions student and the right to refuse.
15. Expect reasonable environmental safety practices.
16. Expect marketing and advertising techniques that are not misleading.
17. Bring any violation of these principles, file a complaint, or voice a grievance, to the attention of the UHC Executive Staff by emailing health@umd.edu.
18. Request Advance Directive Materials from the State of Maryland and have the UHC honor the Advance Directive, unless otherwise countermanded by the patient.

The UHC staff cares for ill and injured members of the community. We recognize that to be effective, the effort must be a partnership. The patient and the health care team work together for a common goal. Patients will be expected, to the best of their ability, to assume a share of the responsibility for their health care.

As a patient, you have the responsibility to:

1. Provide complete and accurate information about past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, Advance Directive, and other matters relating to your health.
2. Cooperate in the treatment plan recommended by the UHC personnel caring for you.
3. Ask questions to ensure understanding of your health problem(s) and treatment.
4. Inform your healthcare provider if you believe you cannot follow through with your treatment plan.
5. Accept personal responsibility for refusing treatment.
6. Consult a medical provider at the UHC if your health problem does not follow the expected course.
7. Keep appointments or contact the UHC by phone or the Patient Portal when you cannot keep a scheduled appointment.
8. Stay informed regarding UHC services, hours of operation, and the status of your health insurance.
9. Pay your bills promptly, provide all necessary and accurate information for insurance processing, and ask any billing-related questions promptly.
10. Be respectful of others, their property, and the UHC.
11. Abide by UHC rules and regulations.

All services provided to students are confidential. The UHC will generally not release information to outside parties (including parents or family members) without your permission unless the law allows us to do so.  Read the UHC Notice of Privacy Practices for more information about how your health information may be used and disclosed.

The University Health Center staff are trained annually on privacy practices.  We comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) or Federal Educational and Privacy Rights Act (FERPA), depending on which legislation is relevant to a particular situation.

To file a complaint related to HIPAA or FERPA please contact our HIPAA COMPLIANCE OFFICER.