Your Rights as a Hospital Patient in New York State
Keep this booklet for reference. Review it carefully and share the information with your family and friends involved in your care.
The state and federal governments require that all hospital patients in New York State be given certain information and materials when admitted to a hospital. This booklet collects all that information in one place, explains your rights as a patient and contains advice on how best to get assistance.
The booklet is divided into two sections:
- The first section of this booklet explains your rights as a hospital patient in New York State. It also contains a Glossary to help you understand some terms you may hear while you are in the hospital.
- The second section presents each document that the law requires you receive as a patient in a hospital in New York State.
Table of Contents:
- About Your Rights
- About Your Special Needs
- Concerns/Problems/Complaints About Your Hospital Care
- If You Think You Are Being Asked to Leave the Hospital Too Soon
- You Have the Right to File a Complaint About:
- Doctors or Physician Assistants
- Other Health Care Professionals
- Questions or Complaints About Your Hospital Bill/Health Insurance
- Access to Your Medical Records
- Glossary
- Regulations and Information
- Patients' Bill of Rights
- An Important Message Regarding Your Rights as a Hospital Inpatient (for patients not covered by Medicare)
- Admission Notice for Medicare Patients
- Important Message from Medicare
- Planning in Advance For Your Medical Treatment
- Deciding about Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Orders -- A Guide for Patients and Family
- Appointing Your Health Care Agent - New York State's Proxy Law
- Health Care Proxy Form
- Letter from the New York State Department of Health (SPARCS data collection system)
- Maternity Information
- Domestic Violence, Victim's Rights Notice
- Domestic Violence Notice for Prenatal and Maternity Patients