What Lawyers Know That Arizona Doctors Have to Tell You
Many doctors rush through medical treatment, not giving patients a chance to ask important questions or receive clear answers they understand. But this failure to disclose health information is wrong. In Arizona, your rights include the right to be informed about your illness and the kind of care you will receive. Doctors must also tell you about the possible treatments and the likely results, keeping you informed in a language you understand.
Further, doctors must let you make decisions about your care and tell you when something goes wrong. It never right for a doctor to force a procedure on you without giving you an opportunity to develop a clear understanding.
You have the right to discuss your condition with you doctor in a language you understand. Your doctor must provide you with accurate, easy-to-understand information. Failure to disclose health information can cause serious harm.
Based on an understanding of your condition and your beliefs, you can consent or decline to treatment. And, if hospital care will no longer be beneficial, your doctor has a duty to inform you about other possible treatments.
Your Medical Records — Information Disclosure
A federal law called HIPAA requires that certain healthcare providers must comply with your right to ask for your health records. Under HIPAA, you can make corrections to any errors you see there. Your doctor must tell you how your health information could be used or shared. When they actually share your information, these providers must send you a report telling you how it was shared. Failure to disclose health information in this way could violate HIPAA and give you a right to take legal action.
If you have more questions about the patient's bill of rights or are worried about a doctor's failure to disclose health information, please contact an attorney at Harris Powers & Cunningham by calling 602.271.9344. Located in Phoenix, we are recognized as one of the premier medical malpractice law firms in Arizona. We offer free initial consultations.
