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Patient Rights | Patient Rules and Responsibilities


RIGHTS AS A RI FREE CLINIC PATIENT

  • You will be offered considerate and respectful care without discrimination as to race, color, religion or national origin.
  • You have the right to request an interpreter at any time.
  • You have the right to be provided with the name of the physician or other health professional responsible for conducting any specific test or medical procedure performed by the RI Free Clinic.
  • You shall also have the right to refuse any treatment by the RI Free Clinic to the extent permitted by law.
  • You have the right to privacy and confidentiality with regard to all medical records pertaining to your treatment as provided by law.
  • The RI Free Clinic will respond in a reasonable manner to requests made by other providers for your health records.
  • Upon request, you shall be provided with the identities of all other healthcare and educational institutions that the RI Free Clinic has authorized to participate in your treatment. You shall also be provided information as to the relationship between other institutions and the RI Free Clinic.
  • Upon request, you will be provided with an explanation of any bill you might receive in conjunction with care and services provided by the RI Free Clinic.


RULES AND  RESPONSIBILITIES AS A RI FREE CLINIC PATIENT

  • Patients must check-in at the front desk when they arrive.
  • Eating or drinking in the waiting room is prohibited.
  • Children must be supervised at all times.
  • The Rhode Island Free Clinic reserves the right to refuse service and/or terminate the patient from receiving care.  Possible reasons include, but are not limited to:
    • Missing three schedule appointments by not calling to cancel at least 24 hours in advance
    • Physical or verbal abusive behavior to staff, volunteers and/or other patients
    • Misrepresentation of insurance status or income
  • You will provide the RI Free Clinic with complete and truthful information about your health, including past illnesses, hospital stays, medications you are taking, and any other matters relating to your health.
  • If you have a question regarding your care, you should contact the Clinic nurse. Do not contact volunteer providers at their offices or in the hospitals they maintain privileges in.
  • If you have a question regarding your care, you should contact the Clinic nurse. Do not contact volunteer providers at their offices or in the hospitals they maintain privileges in.
  • If you are unable to keep an appointment at a referral site, you must call to cancel that appointment or to reschedule it.
  • To prevent any confusion in care provided, you must receive primary care only from the RI Free Clinic. The Clinic will not reimburse another organization for providing you with primary care.
  • You will be responsible for any fees charged by a referral provider. To avoid referral fees we encourage you to become a Rhode Island Hospital Community Free Services Member (See the FAQ section).
  • You are required to maintain a current phone number and address with the RI Free Clinic and to let the Clinic know of any change in your insurance status and income level. (A change in your insurance and/or income level needs to be evaluated under the Clinic’s patient eligibility guidelines.)
  • In the event of an emergency, you should seek immediate care at an emergency room, as the Clinic does not provide emergency services.
  • In consideration of others, you will treat all staff, volunteers and fellow patients with respect at all times.
  • If you do not understand something you have been told or instructed to do, or have questions, please ask us before you leave the Clinic. We will make every attempt to answer all your questions.
  • We encourage patients to use general safety precautions at the Rhode Island Free Clinic.  Please be aware of your surroundings at all times.  You are welcomed to wait inside if you are waiting for someone to pick you up.