Patient Rights and Responsibilities

University Health Services wants to be a partner in your healthcare. We also want to make sure your rights to confidential, considerate and respectful care are honored. 

As an adult, you can exercise these rights yourself. If you are a minor or if you become incapable of making decisions about your healthcare, these rights will be exercised by the person who has legal responsibility for decisions about your medical care. 

Notice of privacy practices

You have the right to know how your medical information may be used and disclosed. UHS' Notice of Privacy Practices explains what you should know. Download a copy or ask a Patient Services representative for one.

Patient rights and responsibilities

You have the right to:

• Be treated in a caring and polite way.

• Know all the facts we have about your illness, treatments and possible outcomes. Your healthcare provider will give these facts to you.

• Know the name, specialty and credentials of the healthcare provider responsible for your care.

• Have a chaperone present during any examination.

• Change healthcare providers if you wish.

• Say yes to treatment, or to refuse treatment.

• Participate in decision-making.

• Agree to an advance directive, such as a healthcare proxy, which tells your healthcare provider how you want to be treated and whom you want to make decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself at the time. The person you choose in your proxy is your healthcare agent.

• Be examined in private by your healthcare provider or other healthcare professional.

• Talk to your healthcare provider in private. You have a right to a translator service at no charge to you.

• Look at your medical record and get a copy for a reasonable fee.

• Receive a copy of UHS' Notice of Privacy Practices. This includes our legal duties regarding your health information. This document is available on this website or from Patient Services representatives. 

• Make complaints through UHS' feedback  procedures without concern that your care will be affected. We welcome your suggestions and questions about UHS services, the healthcare professionals providing care and patients’ rights and responsibilities. Message us at UHSfeedback@umass.edu; provide your contact information to receive a reply.

You are responsible for:

• Knowing the extent and limitations of your insurance benefits.

• Keeping appointments and promptly canceling any appointments that you cannot or do not need to keep.

• Telling us about your current symptoms, your health history or any other information regarding your health that will help us treat you.

• Following the treatment plan recommended by your healthcare provider.

• Telling us the medications you are taking, including the strength and how often you take them. Include over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements and herbal products you take, and/or alternative medicines or treatments you receive. Report any allergies or reactions you have had to any medications.

• Fulfilling financial obligations for services provided.

• Being considerate of UHS staff and other patients, and respectful of UHS property and the property of others.

• Asking any questions if you do not understand instructions given to you at discharge about the treatment plan that you will use at home, including medications.

If you have concerns...

If you feel your rights may have been violated, contact Robin Walsh, RN, BSN: rwalsh@uhs.umass.edu or (413) 577-5227.


Updated 4/2023

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