HIV/AIDS BILL OF RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS BILL OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The purpose of this Patient and Client Bill of Rights is to help enable clients act on their own behalf and in
partnership with their providers to obtain the best possible HIV/AIDS care and treatment. This Bill of
Rights and Responsibilities comes from the hearts of people living with HIV/AIDS in the diverse
communities of Los Angeles County. As someone newly entering or currently accessing care, treatment
or support services for HIV/AIDS, you have the right to:
A. Respectful Treatment
1. Receive considerate, respectful, professional, confidential and timely care in a safe client-centered
environment without bias.
2. Receive equal and unbiased care in accordance with federal and state law.
3. Receive information about the qualifications of your providers, particularly about their experience
managing and treating HIV/AIDS or related services.
4. Be informed of the names and work phone numbers of the physicians, nurses and other staff
members responsible for your care.
5. Receive safe accommodations for protection of personal property while receiving care and services.
6. Receive services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate, including having full explanation
of all services and treatment options provided clearly in your own language and dialect.
7. Look at your medical records and receive copies of them upon your request (reasonable agency
policies including reasonable fee for photocopying may apply).
8. When special needs arise, extended visiting hours by family, partner, or friends during inpatient
treatment, recognizing that there may be limits imposed for valid reasons by the hospital, hospice or
other inpatient institution.
B. Competent, High-Quality Care
1. Have your care provided by competent, qualified professionals who follow HIV treatment
standards as set forth by the Federal Public Health Service Guidelines, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Health Services, and the County of Los
Angeles.
2. Have access to these professionals at convenient times and locations.
3. Receive appropriate referrals to other medical, mental health or other care services.
C. Make Treatment Decisions
1. Receive complete and up-to-date information in words you understand about your diagnosis,
treatment options, medications (including common side effects and complications) and prognosis that
can reasonably be expected.
2. Participate actively with your provider(s) in discussions about choices and options available for
your treatment.
3. Make the final decision about which choice and option is best for you after you have been given all
relevant information about these choices and the clear recommendation of your provider.
4. Refuse any and all treatments recommended and be told of the effect not taking the treatment
may have on your health, be told of any other potential consequences of your refusal and be
assured that you have the right to change your mind later.
5. Be informed about and afforded the opportunity to participate in any appropriate clinical research
studies for which you are eligible.
6. Refuse to participate in research without prejudice or penalty of any sort.
7. Refuse any offered services or end participation in any program without bias or impact on your
care.
8. Be informed of the procedures at the agency or institution for resolving misunderstandings,
making complaints or filing grievances.
9. Receive a response to any complaint or grievance within 30 days of filing it.
10. Be informed of independent ombudsman or advocacy services outside the agency to help you
resolve problems or grievances (see number at bottom of this form), including how to access a
federal complaint center within the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
D. Confidentiality and Privacy
1. Receive a copy of your agency’s Notice of Privacy Policies and Procedures. Your agency will ask you
to acknowledge receipt of this document.
2. Keep your HIV status confidential or anonymous with respect to HIV counseling and testing
services. Have information explained to you about confidentiality policies and under what conditions,
if any, information about HIV care services may be released.
3. Request restricted access to specific sections of your medical records.
4. Authorize or withdraw requests for your medical record from anyone else besides your health care
providers and for billing purposes.
5. Question information in your medical chart and make a written request to change specific
documented information. Your physician has the right to accept or refuse your request with an
explanation.
E. Billing Information and Assistance
1. Receive complete information and explanation in advance of all charges that may be incurred for
receiving care, treatment and services as well as payment policies of your provider.
2. Receive information on any programs to help you pay and assistance in accessing such assistance
and any other benefits for which you may be eligible.
F. Patient/Client Responsibilities
In order to help your provider give you and other clients the care to which you are entitled, you also have
the responsibility to:
1. Participate in the development and implementation of your individual treatment or service plan to
the extent that you are able.
2. Provide your providers, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about
your current and past health and illness, medications and other treatment and services you are
receiving, since all of these may affect your care. Communicate promptly in the future any changes or
new developments.
3. Communicate to your provider whenever you do not understand and information you are given.
4. Follow the treatment plan you have agreed to and/or accepting the consequences of failing the
recommended course of treatment or of using other treatments.
5. Keep your appointments and commitments at this agency or inform the agency promptly if you
cannot do so.
6. Keep your provider or main contact informed about how to reach you confidentially by phone, mail,
or other means.
7. Follow the agency’s rules and regulations concerning patient/client care and conduct.
8. Be considerate of your providers and fellow clients/patients and treat them with the respect you
yourself expect.
9. The use of profanity or abusive or hostile language; threats, violence or intimidation; carrying
weapons of any sort; theft or vandalism; intoxication or use of illegal drugs; sexual harassment and
misconduct is strictly prohibited.
10. Maintain the confidentiality of everyone else receiving care or services at the agency by never
mentioning to anyone who you see here or casually speaking to other clients not already know to
you if you see them elsewhere.
For More Help or Information
Your first step in getting more information or resolving any complaints or grievances should be to
speak with your provider or a designated client services representative or patient or treatment
advocate at the agency. If this does not resolve any problem in a reasonable time span, or if serious
concerns or issues that arise that you feel you need to speak about with someone outside the
agency, you may call the number below for confidential, independent information and assistance. For
patient and complaints/grievances call (800) 260-8787 between the hours of 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Monday-Friday.
The purpose of this Patient and Client Bill of Rights is to help enable clients act on their own behalf and in
partnership with their providers to obtain the best possible HIV/AIDS care and treatment. This Bill of
Rights and Responsibilities comes from the hearts of people living with HIV/AIDS in the diverse
communities of Los Angeles County. As someone newly entering or currently accessing care, treatment
or support services for HIV/AIDS, you have the right to:
A. Respectful Treatment
1. Receive considerate, respectful, professional, confidential and timely care in a safe client-centered
environment without bias.
2. Receive equal and unbiased care in accordance with federal and state law.
3. Receive information about the qualifications of your providers, particularly about their experience
managing and treating HIV/AIDS or related services.
4. Be informed of the names and work phone numbers of the physicians, nurses and other staff
members responsible for your care.
5. Receive safe accommodations for protection of personal property while receiving care and services.
6. Receive services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate, including having full explanation
of all services and treatment options provided clearly in your own language and dialect.
7. Look at your medical records and receive copies of them upon your request (reasonable agency
policies including reasonable fee for photocopying may apply).
8. When special needs arise, extended visiting hours by family, partner, or friends during inpatient
treatment, recognizing that there may be limits imposed for valid reasons by the hospital, hospice or
other inpatient institution.
B. Competent, High-Quality Care
1. Have your care provided by competent, qualified professionals who follow HIV treatment
standards as set forth by the Federal Public Health Service Guidelines, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Health Services, and the County of Los
Angeles.
2. Have access to these professionals at convenient times and locations.
3. Receive appropriate referrals to other medical, mental health or other care services.
C. Make Treatment Decisions
1. Receive complete and up-to-date information in words you understand about your diagnosis,
treatment options, medications (including common side effects and complications) and prognosis that
can reasonably be expected.
2. Participate actively with your provider(s) in discussions about choices and options available for
your treatment.
3. Make the final decision about which choice and option is best for you after you have been given all
relevant information about these choices and the clear recommendation of your provider.
4. Refuse any and all treatments recommended and be told of the effect not taking the treatment
may have on your health, be told of any other potential consequences of your refusal and be
assured that you have the right to change your mind later.
5. Be informed about and afforded the opportunity to participate in any appropriate clinical research
studies for which you are eligible.
6. Refuse to participate in research without prejudice or penalty of any sort.
7. Refuse any offered services or end participation in any program without bias or impact on your
care.
8. Be informed of the procedures at the agency or institution for resolving misunderstandings,
making complaints or filing grievances.
9. Receive a response to any complaint or grievance within 30 days of filing it.
10. Be informed of independent ombudsman or advocacy services outside the agency to help you
resolve problems or grievances (see number at bottom of this form), including how to access a
federal complaint center within the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
D. Confidentiality and Privacy
1. Receive a copy of your agency’s Notice of Privacy Policies and Procedures. Your agency will ask you
to acknowledge receipt of this document.
2. Keep your HIV status confidential or anonymous with respect to HIV counseling and testing
services. Have information explained to you about confidentiality policies and under what conditions,
if any, information about HIV care services may be released.
3. Request restricted access to specific sections of your medical records.
4. Authorize or withdraw requests for your medical record from anyone else besides your health care
providers and for billing purposes.
5. Question information in your medical chart and make a written request to change specific
documented information. Your physician has the right to accept or refuse your request with an
explanation.
E. Billing Information and Assistance
1. Receive complete information and explanation in advance of all charges that may be incurred for
receiving care, treatment and services as well as payment policies of your provider.
2. Receive information on any programs to help you pay and assistance in accessing such assistance
and any other benefits for which you may be eligible.
F. Patient/Client Responsibilities
In order to help your provider give you and other clients the care to which you are entitled, you also have
the responsibility to:
1. Participate in the development and implementation of your individual treatment or service plan to
the extent that you are able.
2. Provide your providers, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about
your current and past health and illness, medications and other treatment and services you are
receiving, since all of these may affect your care. Communicate promptly in the future any changes or
new developments.
3. Communicate to your provider whenever you do not understand and information you are given.
4. Follow the treatment plan you have agreed to and/or accepting the consequences of failing the
recommended course of treatment or of using other treatments.
5. Keep your appointments and commitments at this agency or inform the agency promptly if you
cannot do so.
6. Keep your provider or main contact informed about how to reach you confidentially by phone, mail,
or other means.
7. Follow the agency’s rules and regulations concerning patient/client care and conduct.
8. Be considerate of your providers and fellow clients/patients and treat them with the respect you
yourself expect.
9. The use of profanity or abusive or hostile language; threats, violence or intimidation; carrying
weapons of any sort; theft or vandalism; intoxication or use of illegal drugs; sexual harassment and
misconduct is strictly prohibited.
10. Maintain the confidentiality of everyone else receiving care or services at the agency by never
mentioning to anyone who you see here or casually speaking to other clients not already know to
you if you see them elsewhere.
For More Help or Information
Your first step in getting more information or resolving any complaints or grievances should be to
speak with your provider or a designated client services representative or patient or treatment
advocate at the agency. If this does not resolve any problem in a reasonable time span, or if serious
concerns or issues that arise that you feel you need to speak about with someone outside the
agency, you may call the number below for confidential, independent information and assistance. For
patient and complaints/grievances call (800) 260-8787 between the hours of 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Monday-Friday.
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HIV/AIDS 101
BAR TIPS
BREAKING THE STIGMA
CHOOSING A DOCTOR
DISCLOSURE
HIV/AIDS BILL OF RIGHTS
HIV/AIDS STATISTICS
HIV/STD TESTING SITES
LIVING WITH HIV
MAKING SEX SAFER
NEWLY DIAGNOSED
STARTING TREATMENT
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