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Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Individuals eligible to use the Student Health Center have the right to:

  • Receive medically necessary care and treatment within the published hours and service scope of the Student Health Center.  This includes access to language translation services when needed.
  • Privacy and confidentiality of medical and personal information including the right to request or refuse release of their medical records, as well as the right to access information in these records in accordance with SSU procedures and applicable state and federal laws.
  • Be treated with respect, courtesy, and dignity.
  • Know the names, qualifications and credentials of their health care provider(s) and request a different provider or a second medical opinion if other qualified providers are available.
  • Receive information about their medical condition including diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options and alternatives, including benefits, risks and possible side effects.
  • Participate in their individual health care decisions except when medically contraindicated.
  • Make an informed decision to decline diagnostic evaluations or treatments to the extent permitted by law including formulating Advance Directives and accept responsibility for the outcome of such decisions.
  • Express suggestions and/or grievances to the Health Center Director, other staff, and/or the Student Health Advisory Committee. An on-site suggestion box is also provided.
  • Receive timely information about Health Center operations including but not limited to scope of services, fees, payment policies, liability coverage, after-hours options, and emergency care. See Consumer Information.
  • Use medical, pharmacy, lab, or x-ray facilities other than the SHC at their own expense.

Student Health Center patients have the responsibility to:

  • Keep appointments or notify the Health Center in advance to cancel or reschedule.
  • Provide complete, accurate personal health history including past and present medical conditions; current symptoms and concerns; allergies; sensitivities; health-related behaviors; and the medications, nutritional supplements and other substances they use.
  • Communicate actively with the medical provider to better understand their medical condition.
  • Follow the treatment plan prescribed by their medical provider and seek necessary, timely medical treatment, including utilizing off-campus sources, if medical needs fall outside the scope or hours of operation of the Student Health Center, and strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
  • Understand and accept the consequences of refusing or not complying with treatment.
  • Accept financial responsibility for any charges, promptly pay fees, and return borrowed equipment in good condition.
  • Be considerate of Health Center patients and personnel.
  • Inform the SHC of any living will, advance directive, medical power of attorney or other information that could influence their care.

**For informational purposes only, a link to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments web page is provided here. The federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires that detailed information about payment and other payments of value worth over ten dollars ($10) from manufacturers of drugs, medical devices, and biologics to physicians and teaching hospitals be made available to the public. The Open Payments database can be found at https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov.