Patient Rights – Pennsylvania

As a PursueCare patient you are afforded a number of rights which are outlined below. You may also have additional rights afforded to you based on the rules and regulations for medication-assisted treatment in your state. PursueCare staff can advise you of any additional rights that you may have.

1. The right to have access to information, and to release information, in an appropriate timeframe to facilitate fully informed decision-making in support of your treatment and/or recovery.
2. The right to retain civil rights and liberties except as provided by statute. No client shall be deprived of a civil right solely by reason of treatment.
3. The right to have access to information about your treatment in sufficient time so that you can make the best-informed decision about your treatment.
4. The right to informed consent, informed refusal, and/or expression of your choice regarding service delivery (how we provide treatment services, the release of information about your treatment), concurrent services (services that you might also be receiving from another provider), composition and membership of your treatment team and involvement in research projects.
5. The right to adherence to accepted research guidelines and practices and industry ethics if you choose to be involved in a research project being conducted at the clinic and/or by the clinic staff.
6. The right to be fully involved as an active participant in all decisions regarding your treatment and to participate in all counseling/treatment modalities and activities offered by the clinic.
7. The right to revoke consent for treatment at any time (with the exception of those patients in treatment as a result of a criminal justice system mandate).
8. The right to have a primary counselor designated in writing who will direct and coordinate your treatment.
9. The right to request a change in your primary counselor if you so desire.
10. The right to receive individualized care and adequate dosing as part of your treatment.
11. The right to receive services in an environment that is free of all forms of abuse, exploitation, and retaliation (including fiduciary/fiscal abuse), humiliation, and neglect.
12. The right to receive treatment services without fear of the use of seclusion and/or physical restraint.
13. The right to the highest degree of privacy and to be treated with dignity and respect during medical examinations, physician consultations, and/or intrusive procedures.
14. The right to have information about your treatment and your confidentiality protected to the greatest extent allowed by federal and state confidentiality laws and regulations including 42 CFR Part 2 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.
15. The right to access self-help and advocacy support services and to obtain staff assistance, when necessary, to access those services.
16. The right to access or referral to legal entities for appropriate representation as needed, and to obtain staff assistance, when necessary, to access those entities.
17. The right to review and request copies of all protected health information, including all clinical documentation in your record. For more information or to exercise this right, you should contact your case manager or counselor for specific details.
18. The right to have family members, friends, or others involved in your treatment and with your consent and approval.
19. The right to receive services that comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations regarding treatment.
20. The right to receive services absent discrimination on the basis of age, race, creed, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, handicap, or religion.
21. The right to file a grievance or complaint about the services you receive without fear of retaliation or reprisal of any sort, and to have the procedure for filing a grievance or complaint in a clear, understandable manner.
22. The right to file a grievance with the responsible State licensing/regulatory authority or other state agency if you feel that the organization has not satisfactorily addressed any concerns you have; or, does not adequately address any formal grievance you submit; and upon acceptance to another opioid treatment program, the right to transfer if you notify your primary counselor in advance of your desired transfer date so that the PursueCare staff can assist in a smooth transfer to the other program within a reasonable timeframe.
23. The right to have any violation of these rights investigated and appropriately resolved by an objective member of the clinic and/or corporate staff.
24. If applicable, to expect that the staff will adhere to generally accepted standards of research and ethics when such research involves you and/or other patients.
25. The Patient has the right to inspect their own records. The company, clinic, or medical director may temporarily remove portions of the records prior to the inspection by the client if the director determines that the information may be detrimental if presented to the client.
26. The patient has the right to appeal a decision limiting access to their records to the director, the right to request correction of inaccurate, irrelevant, outdated, or incomplete information in their records, and the right to submit rebuttal data or memoranda to their own records.