What Is the Patients’ Bill of Rights?

The Patients’ Bill of Rights is a framework of protections designed to ensure fair treatment, access to medical information, and informed decision-making in healthcare. It includes rights related to privacy, consent, emergency care, and the ability to appeal insurance denials. While it is not a single official document, some aspects are federally mandated—such as privacy protections under HIPAA and appeal rights under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Other elements vary by state, healthcare provider, or insurance plan.

What rights do patients have?

• Informed consent: Patients have the right to receive clear, accurate information about treatments, risks, and alternatives before making healthcare decisions.
• Access to medical records: Patients can review and request copies of their health records, as protected under HIPAA.
• Privacy and confidentiality: Medical information must be kept private unless the patient gives permission to share it.
• Right to appeal insurance decisions: Under the ACA, patients can challenge denied claims and request external reviews.
• Freedom from discrimination: Healthcare providers cannot deny treatment based on race, gender, disability, or other protected factors.
• Right to emergency care: Hospitals with emergency departments must provide stabilizing treatment, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.

How the patients’ bill of rights applies to seniors and caregivers

Medicare beneficiaries have specific rights, including access to medically necessary care, protection from discrimination, and the ability to appeal coverage denials. Medicare also ensures that patients receive clear explanations of benefits (EOBs) and have the right to dispute billing errors. For seniors receiving long-term or in-home care, these rights remain in place, and caregivers play a crucial role in advocating for them—helping with appeals, ensuring providers respect patient preferences, and facilitating smooth care transitions. 

How Solace can help

Understanding healthcare rights can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with denied claims, medical billing disputes, or accessing medical records. A Solace advocate can help patients understand their rights, file insurance appeals, and make sure providers and insurers follow fair treatment policies.

What to do next

Need help filing appeals, resolving billing errors, or accessing your medical records? Solace can fight for your healthcare rights: Find an advocate today.