Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Minnesota State University, Mankato Student Health Services recognizes its responsibility to respect and protect the rights of all patients who seek treatment and information. Therefore, patients have the right:

To dignity: to be treated with respect and consideration.
To be informed:
- to expect adequate explanation and instructions regarding your medical condition, including the diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and prognosis.
- of fee for service and payment policies.
- of services available.
- of the credentials of our health care professional and any absence of malpractice insurance coverage, if applicable.
To ask questions: your health care provider will be happy to address your questions and concerns.
To confidentially and privacy: at check-in, evaluation, and treatment areas. No information from your medical records will be released without your permission. When it is medically inadvisable to gie such inforamtion to a patient, the information is provided to a person designated by the patient or to a legally authorized person.
To refuse treatment: you may choose not to be treated by us or to only have a portion of your treatment provided by us. You have the right to refuse participation in experimental research.
To choose your medical provider: you may request a provider at any time and may opt to change providers based on your needs or preferences.
To voice concerns: you may share concerns with your provider or other staff, anonymously through our opinion boxes, with the Director of the Student Health Services, or through a formal security complaint form available on our website in compliance with state and federal regulations. If you feel like your concerns are not adequately addressed, you have the right to meet with the Vice President of Student Affairs to voice any dissatisfaction.
To participate in decisions regarding your health care except when such participation is contraindicated for medical reasons
To be informed about advance directives: For information about advance directives as required by state and federal law and regulations, find it here.

In addition to your rights as a patient, it is your responsibility:

To provide complete and accurate information about your health: including any medications taken, including over-the-counter products and dietary supplements, and any allergies or sensitivities.
To comply: success in treatment is often contingent on your willingness to comply and/or to let us know when you cannot comply or have questions.
To be punctual: we can best serve you if you arrive on time for appointments and call us to cancel when you cannot make an appointment. This will allow us to provide services more efficiently and will help to decrease your waiting time.
To provide a resonsible adult: to transfer you home from the facility and remain with you for a specified period of time, if deemed necessary.
To inform your provider: about any living will, power of attorney, or any other medical directive that could affect your care.
To accept personal financial responsibility: for any charges not covered by your insurance or not submitted as a contract insurance company.
To be respectful: of all the health care professionals and staff, as well as other patients.

If you have a concern/complaint, please offer your suggestions. The Student Health Staff encourage you, the patient, to be an informed and active participant in your own health care.