We Are Committed to Honoring Your Patient Rights

Yellowstone Surgery Center believes that every patient in our care should be treated with dignity, respect and compassion. We recognize that all patients have basic rights, and we are committed to honoring these rights. Likewise, Yellowstone Surgery Center has a right to expect reasonable and responsible behavior from patients, and their relatives and friends. Read a summary of rights and responsibilities that serves as a foundation for a good relationship between patients and caregivers.

Your Rights

As a patient, you have the right to:

  • Considerate, respectful care at all times & under all circumstances with recognition of your personal dignity and property.
  • Personal and informational privacy, within the law.
  • Information concerning your diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and prognosis, to the degree known.
  • Confidentiality of records and disclosures. Except when required by law, you have the right to approve or refuse the release of records.
  • The opportunity to participate in decisions involving your health care, unless contraindicated by concerns for your health.
  • Make informed decisions about medical care, including the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment. Know that there may be a modification to an existing living will or DNR directive. If you would like information about advanced directives, please speak with a nurse.
  • Information concerning patient conduct and responsibilities; services available at the organization, provisions for after-hours and emergency care; fees for services, payment policies, implementation of any advance care directive.
  • Impartial access to treatment regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, handicap or disability. (Yellowstone Surgery Center adheres to all federal and state rules, regulations and policies to promote a non-discriminatory environment for all of our guests.)
  • Receive an itemized bill for all services.
  • Know the identity and professional status of individuals providing service to you.
  • Report any comments concerning the quality of services provided to you during the time spent at the facility and receive fair follow-up on your comments. Grievances can be reported to management at Yellowstone Surgery Center, the Department of Public Health & Human Services Quality Assurance Division (DPHHS) or Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman.
  • Change primary or specialty physicians if other qualified physicians are available.
  • Information concerning your physicians’ relationship with this facility.
  • Exercise these rights without being subject to discrimination or reprisal.
  • Receive care in a safe setting and be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.
  • Approve or refuse the uses and disclosures for marketing, fundraising, and/or research purposes; genetic information; the sales of protected medical information about you; psychotherapy notes if we maintain them; and any other uses and disclosures not described in this Notice and therein will be made only with the individual’s written authorization. The authorization may be revoked at anytime by the individual in writing.
  • Request that we restrict disclosures of your medical information and healthcare treatment(s) to a health plan (health insurer) or other party, when the services have been paid in full before any services are provided.
  • Receive a copy of your health information, have your medical information amended & request an account of disclosures made.
  • Be notified of a breach of your Protected Health Information.
  • Being respectful of all healthcare providers and staff, as well as other patients

Reporting Grievances

Yellowstone Surgery Center Quality Control
Phone: (406) 237-5900

 

Montana State Agency for Patient Complaints Bureau Chief
Department of Public Health & Human Services Quality Assurance Division P.O. Box 202953, Helena, MT 59620-2953

Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman

Your Responsibilities

As a patient, you are responsible for:

  • Providing, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about your current health status and past medical history, and reporting any unexpected changes to the appropriate care provider(s).
  • Following the treatment plan recommended by the primary physician or practitioner handling your case.
  • Making arrangements for a responsible adult to transport you home after your procedure and to care for you at home for the first 24 hours after surgery.
  • Indicating whether you clearly understand a contemplated course of action and what is expected of you.
  • Your actions if you refuse treatment, leave our surgery center against the advice of your physician, or do not follow your physician’s instructions regarding your case.
  • Assuring that the financial obligations of your health care are fulfilled as expediently as possible.
  • Providing information about and/or copies of any living will, power of attorney or other directives that you desire us to know about.

Missed Appointments

If you are unable to make your appointment as scheduled, please contact our office promptly. This appointment time will be rescheduled for patients requiring our services.

In the event an appointment is missed, and no attempt was made to cancel the appointment in advance, we reserve the right to charge a $50 fee. These fees are not covered by insurance and will be your personal responsibility.