Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Patient Rights

The Student Health Center holds every patient in the utmost regard and seeks to address individual needs. Because of this, each patient has a right to:

• Be treated with dignity and respect.
• Be given courteous, confidential, and considerate care.
• Participate in decisions involving personal health care, except when such participation is contraindicated for medical reasons. When it is medically inadvisable to give such information to a patient, the information will be provided to a person designated by the patient or to a legally authorized person.
• Be informed about personal health problems and the recommended treatment in understandable terms.
• Know the chances that treatment will be effective, the possible risks involved, potential side effects, and alternative methods of treatment.
• Have access to a second medical opinion prior to making a decision.
• Know who is treating the medical condition.
• Appropriate privacy and to be informed of the personal responsibilities involved in seeking medical treatment and maintaining health and well-being thereafter.
• Understand the costs of care provided.
• Refuse to participate in any experimental research.
• Change providers.
• For complaints or suggestions, please contact us.

For more information regarding patient rights in California, please visit The California Patient’s Guide online.

View the Advanced Health Care Directive Form for information pertaining to advanced directives.

Patient Responsibilities

Each patient is held accountable to:

• Provide information, prior to receiving care, on medical history, current medications (prescription and over-the-counter), and allergies by filling out the proper paperwork prior to their first visit at the SHC.
• Follow treatment plans as prescribed by the provider.
• Provide a responsible adult to transport the patient from the appointment and stay with him/her for up to 24 hours if required by the provider.
• Inform the provider about any directives that may affect the patient’s care, such as a living will or medical power of attorney. For more information, visit the California Attorney General’s website.
• Accept personal financial responsibility for any charges not covered by the patient’s insurance.
• Be respectful of all health care providers and staff, as well as other patients.

Appointments

All students are required to make an appointment in advance. Appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be made online via the MyCougar Health Student Portal or by calling (626) 815-2100. The Health Center’s schedule fills up early in the day, so make an appointment as soon as possible for the best chances of reserving a convenient time. If our staff cannot see you in a timely manner, you will be directed to a local urgent care or emergency room.