Patient Rights and Responsibilities

(1) Patient Rights. Hospitals and Community Health Centers must advise patients of the following rights to: (a) apply for Free Care within one year of determining the patient’s financial liability at a Hospital, or within 90 days of determining the patient’s financial liability at a Community Health Center, unless the Hospital or Community Health Center can document continuous collection action or patient payments during the intervening time, (b) a payment plan, as described in 114.6 CMR 10.05, if the patient is determined to be eligible for partial Free Care or Medical Hardship, (c) a written notice of the eligibility decisionwithin30 days ofcompletionofa writtenFree Care application and submission of the required supporting documentation, (d) notice of the right to file a grievance pursuant to 114.6 CMR 10.07, and (e) file a grievance as outlined in 114.6 CMR 10.07 of an eligibility or scope of services determination. (2) Patient Responsibilities. (a) to provide all necessary documentation, (b) to inform the Provider of changes in Family Income and insurance status, (c) to track the patient Deductible and provide documentation to the Hospital or Community Health Center that the Deductible has been reached when more than one Family member is approved for Free Care or ifthe patient or Family members are approved for Free Care at more than one Hospital or Community Health Center. (3) Other. (a) A Hospital or Community Health Center shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship, alienage, religion, creed, sex, sexualpreference, age, or disability, in its policies, or in its application of policies, concerning the acquisition and verification of financial information, pre-admission or pretreatment deposits, payment plans, deferred or rejected admissions, or eligibility for Free Care. (b) A Hospital or Community Health Center or agent thereof shall not seek legal execution against the personal residence or motor vehicle ofa patient or Guarantor without the express approval of the Hospital’s or Community Health Center’s Board of Trustees. All approvals by the Board must be made on an individual case basis.