Patient Rights

As a patient at Benefis Health System, it is your right to:

1. Receive professional, considerate, and respectful care, including respect for cultural, spiritual and other psychosocial needs, as well as age and developmental stage in a safe environment.
2. Access support services for your psychological and spiritual needs.
3. Expect that a reasonable effort will be made to assist you regardless of physical or language barriers. Interpreters are available upon request. Use of patient family or friends for interpreter needs is discouraged but may be used at your discretion.
4. Receive privacy concerning your care, including privacy during examination and treatment and confidentiality of information.
5. Know the identity, occupation, and qualifications of those involved in your care.
6. Receive information from your provider concerning your diagnosis and options for care and treatment in terms you can understand. This information includes identification of known serious side effects, risks, or potential complications, as well as benefits and treatment alternatives.
7. Receive supportive care, including appropriate management of pain and treatment of uncomfortable symptoms.
8. You have the right to reasonable, informed participation in decisions involving your health care. To the degree possible, this should be based on a clear and concise explanation of your condition and planned procedures, including potential benefits, the possibilities of any risk of death or serious side effects, problems related to recuperation and probability of success. Before undergoing any procedure, you or your legal representative will voluntarily provide informed consent. You will be informed if medically significant alternatives for care or treatment exist.
9. You have the right to know who is responsible for authorizing and performing the procedures or treatment.
10. Expect that you will receive a clear explanation of the next steps for your care.
11. Expect that you will receive information regarding community health resources available, if applicable.
12. Be informed of any rules or requirements that relate to your care.
13. Refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and be informed of the medical consequences of such action.
14. Refuse any research, investigational, or educational projects relating to your care. A provider cannot enroll you in any such projects without your permission.
15. Provide a written statement of your wishes regarding medical treatment, known as an advance directive, and appoint a representative to make health care decisions on your behalf in the event you are unable to communicate wishes regarding care. If you have an advance directive (Living Will, Healthcare Agent, POLST, or 5 Wishes), please provide a copy upon being seen at Benefis. Once a copy has been provided, it will remain on file in your medical record. If you have questions regarding advance directives, a Benefis employee can assist you.
16. Participate in discussion of ethical questions that arise in the course of your care, including conflict resolutions, withholding resuscitative services and foregoing or withdrawal of life­ sustaining treatment. Should you need assistance with this, contact the Benefis Patient Advocacy Program at (406) 455-5838.
17. Indicate your wish to donate organs / tissues in the event of death.
18. Review or obtain copies of your medical record upon reasonable notice, written request and payment of any copying charges. Copies may also be requested and accessed online through the Benefis Patient Portal. Know the costs of your care and request advice from a Health Benefit Advisor to help you understand your insurance benefits and payment options. To speak to one of the Benefis Health Benefit Advisors, call (406) 455-5103 and (406) 455-5106.
19. To voice concerns about your care, have your concerns reviewed, and have them resolved, when possible. Should you need assistance with this, contact the Benefis Patient Advocacy Program at (406) 455-5838.
20. To be free from all forms of harassment, physical abuse, and mental abuse.
21. To be free from restraints or seclusions, of any kind, imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff.