Full Answer Section

Rank order of the eight areas of the Patients’ Bill of Rights:

1. Information for patients
2. Taking part in treatment decisions
3. Choice of providers and plans
4. Access to emergency services
5. Respect and non-discrimination
6. Confidentiality (And privacy) of health information
7. Complaints and appeals
8. Consumer responsibilities

Modifications to the top three areas:

Information for patients:

• The original Patients’ Bill of Rights was adopted in 1998, before the rise of the internet and social media. Today, patients have access to more information about their health and healthcare options than ever before. However, this information can be overwhelming and confusing.
• One modification I would make to the Patients’ Bill of Rights is to require healthcare providers to provide patients with clear and concise information about their condition, treatment options, and risks and benefits. This information should be tailored to the patient’s individual needs and understanding.
• Another modification I would make is to require healthcare providers to provide patients with access to their medical records. This will help patients to better understand their health history and to make informed decisions about their care.

Taking part in treatment decisions:

• The original Patients’ Bill of Rights was adopted at a time when healthcare was more paternalistic. Today, patients are increasingly demanding to be partners in their healthcare.
• One modification I would make to the Patients’ Bill of Rights is to require healthcare providers to respect the patient’s right to make informed decisions about their care. This means that healthcare providers must provide patients with all of the information they need to make a decision, including the risks and benefits of all treatment options.
• Healthcare providers must also respect the patient’s right to refuse treatment. This even applies to life-saving treatment, as long as the patient is competent and understands the consequences of their decision.

Choice of providers and plans:

• The original Patients’ Bill of Rights was adopted at a time when there was more competition in the healthcare marketplace. Today, many patients have limited or no choice of providers and plans, especially those who are enrolled in government-sponsored programs.
• One modification I would make to the Patients’ Bill of Rights is to require insurers to offer a wider range of plans, including both PPOs and HMOs. This would give patients more choices and more flexibility.
• I would also require insurers to give patients more information about their networks, including which providers are in-network and which providers are out-of-network. This would help patients to make informed decisions about their care and to avoid surprise bills.

Additional provisions:

• Transparency: Patients have the right to know the cost of their care, including the cost of prescription drugs and medical supplies. Patients should also have access to information about the quality of care provided by different providers and hospitals.
• Coordination of care: Patients have the right to have their care coordinated by a single provider or team of providers. This is especially important for patients with complex medical conditions.
• Language access: Patients who speak languages other than English have the right to have access to interpreters and other language assistance services.

Conclusion

The Patients’ Bill of Rights is an important document that outlines the rights of patients in the healthcare system. However, the healthcare system has changed significantly since the Patients’ Bill of Rights was adopted in 1998. As a result, some modifications are needed to ensure that the rights of patients are protected in the modern healthcare environment.