Patient Rights

Cayuga Health at Ithaca College affords every patient the right to:

  • Considerate and respectful care.
  • Be told, when you ask, the name of the physician coordinating your care, the name and position of any Cayuga Health at Ithaca College  employee providing your health care.
  • Obtain from your physician complete and current information regarding your diagnosis (what is "wrong" with you), your treatment (what is being, and what will be, done for you), and your prognosis (what is expected in the course of your medical problem), in words you can reasonably be expected to understand.  If your physician determines that it is not advisable for you to have such information, it will be available to an appropriate person acting in your behalf.
  • To request the health care provider of your choice or change your health care provider, as well as to request a second opinion or referral.
  • Refuse any treatment and/or Cayuga Health at Ithaca College procedure except in certain cases as defined by law, for example, the care and reporting of communicable diseases.
  • Privacy, including privacy of your medical records.  Your records will be available only to physicians, Cayuga Health at Ithaca College staff and other agencies directly involved in your care or treatment, or as required by insurance contracts or governmental agencies, under your signed release of information. In the case of litigation, records or copies of records are released to third parties only as required by law.
  • A reasonable response from the Cayuga Health at Ithaca College staff to your requests for services, consistent with sound medical treatment.
  • Information on the manner of care your physician recommends following your discharge. Should you be transferred to another facility following your discharge from Cayuga Health at Ithaca College, you have the right to know, beforehand, why, and what the choices are.
  • Be provided with the information necessary to give informed consent before participating in research or experimental methods.
  • See and receive an explanation of your bill whether it is to be paid by you, an insurance company or governmental agency.
  • Know the Cayuga Health at Ithaca College rules that apply to you.
  • Treatment without regard to your race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference, national origin, age, marital status, source of payment, handicap or disability.

Cayuga Health at Ithaca College urges all patients to comply with therapy.  We will continue to educate students as to the dangers of non-compliance.  However, refusal of treatment will in no way effect any future care or treatment given to the patient at any future date.

Patient Responsibilities

Patient rights are respected for all health care interactions at Cayuga Health at Ithaca College ; additionally, patients bear certain responsibilities that will help us collaborate in providing the best possible care to the Ithaca College community.

  • Students should make every effort to keep scheduled appointments or to contact the Hammond Health Center if they wish to change or cancel an appointment. Arriving late or missing appointments wastes time that could be offered to other patients.
  • The patient is responsible for knowing the names and dosages of medications they take and for knowing if they are allergic to medications, foods or environmental factors. If you cannot remember the names of your medications you should bring the labeled medication bottle(s) to your appointment.
  • Charges for medications, x-rays exams, lab work and referrals are the responsibility of the patient. The patient needs to be aware of relevant medical insurance policy information (policy numbers or insurance card); the patient is responsible for submitting and processing insurance claims and billing. Some insurance plans, including HMOs and Medicaid, require pre-certification before services can be provided.
  • Patients need to schedule an appropriate amount of time for medical problems, medication refills or other visits. It is usually not possible to address multiple medical concerns in a single 30 minute appointment.
  • Students should be respectful to staff and other students. This includes respecting the privacy of other patients.

If there are any concerns regarding patient care the student should address them directly with a Cayuga Health at Ithaca College clinician or administrator.