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Know Your Healthcare Rights
Most patients don't know these rights exist—and providers don't advertise them.
YOUR RIGHT TO INFORMED CONSENT
- Understand treatment before agreeing
- Ask questions until it makes sense
- Refuse treatment (with rare exceptions)
- Get second opinions
YOUR RIGHT TO YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS
- Access within 30 days
- Reasonable copying fees only
- Can't be withheld because you owe money
YOUR RIGHT TO FAIR BILLING
No Surprises Act (Federal):
You CANNOT be balance-billed for:
- Emergency services at any facility
- Out-of-network doctors at in-network hospitals (unless you consent)
What this means: If an out-of-network anesthesiologist treats you at an in-network hospital, you only pay the in-network rate.
YOUR RIGHT TO APPEAL INSURANCE DENIALS
- Internal Appeal (insurance reviews)
- External Appeal (independent expert reviews - FREE and binding)
- State Insurance Commissioner complaint
For urgent appeals: 72-hour decision required
YOUR RIGHT TO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Nonprofit hospitals MUST:
- Offer free/discounted care to qualifying patients
- Screen you before aggressive collections
- Provide applications in your language
Typical Coverage:
- 100% free if you earn <200% of poverty level
- Discounts at higher income levels
YOUR RIGHT TO EMERGENCY CARE
Hospitals cannot:
- Turn you away from ER due to inability to pay
- Ask about insurance before screening
- Transfer you before stabilization
YOUR RIGHT TO PRESCRIPTION AFFORDABILITY
Request generics
Use manufacturer coupons
Shop around (prices vary wildly)
Apply for patient assistance programs
Appeal formulary restrictions
WHEN YOUR RIGHTS ARE VIOLATED
Insurance Problems: Contact your state insurance commissioner
Medicare Issues: Call 1-800-MEDICARE
Privacy Violations: File with HHS Office for Civil Rights
Billing Disputes: Contact hospital patient advocate, then state health department
THE REALITY
Knowing your rights is one thing. Enforcing them is another.
Healthcare billing and insurance systems are designed to be complex. They count on you:
- Not knowing your rights
- Not understanding the process
- Giving up after the first denial
- Paying bills you shouldn't have to pay
That's where advocates come in.
At BillAlly, we:
- Know exactly which rights apply to your situation
- Speak the language providers and insurers understand
- Have relationships that get results
- Handle everything so you can focus on your health
Don't fight alone.
Resources
- Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE / Medicare.gov
- State Insurance Commissioner: Find yours at NAIC.org
- Patient Advocate Foundation: PatientAdvocate.org