What Is the Illinois Patient Bill of Rights?
The Medical Patient Rights Act, also known as the Illinois Patient Bill of Rights, codifies the medical care standards and practices to which Illinois residents are entitled. The rights established in the act include fair treatment, quality and competent care, transparent billing, medical privacy, and more.
If you believe a medical provider violated the Illinois Patient Bill of Rights, the experienced attorneys with Levin & Perconti can help you hold them accountable and secure the compensation you deserve. Our firm is a pioneer in nursing home litigation and well-versed in medical malpractice, birth injuries, and other fields. Contact us online or call (312) 332-2872 today for a free consultation.
What Core Patient Rights Should You Know?
Understanding the Illinois Patient Bill of Rights is key to ensuring you receive the quality of medical treatment you’re entitled to under the law. Some of the key protections in the Medical Patient Rights Act include the following:
Right to Care and Treatment
All patients have a right to quality care consistent with best practices in medicine and nursing. They are also entitled to information about their condition and treatment.
Pregnant women are also entitled to specific protections and care standards before, during, and after childbirth.
Right to Privacy and Confidentiality
Patients have the right to keep their medical records confidential in most circumstances. Private information may only be shared for treatment purposes, payments, or when otherwise required by law.
Patients may waive their privacy rights and allow others to view their medical information, but medical providers can’t decide not to treat a patient if they refuse to do so. Patients can also opt out of having their records shared through health information exchanges.
Right to Know and Understand Bills
Illinois patients are entitled to a clear explanation of the services they’re being charged for and an itemized bill. Requesting an itemized bill can ensure medical providers are transparent and help patients avoid unnecessary charges.
Right to Refuse Treatment
Under the Illinois Patient Bill of Rights, patients can refuse any medical treatment not required by law, even if their health care provider strongly recommends it. However, health care providers must fully inform patients of the potential risks and consequences of refusing recommended treatments.
Right to Timely Notice of Insurance Policy Changes
The Medical Patient Rights Act requires insurance companies to give timely notice to patients before canceling or declining to renew a health insurance policy or plan. This ensures patients have enough time to seek new insurance before their existing medical coverage ends.
Right to Informed Consent in Research
In ethical medical research, subjects must give informed consent before participating, meaning they fully understand what they’re signing up for and its potential consequences.
Under Illinois law, patients have the right to a full explanation of the nature, benefits, and potential risks of a research program or experimental treatment before they consent to participate. However, there is an exception if the treatment is for a life-threatening emergency.
Additional Rights in Health Care Facilities
The Illinois Patient Bill of Rights also includes rules governing a patient’s experience in a health care facility, including:
Visitation Rights
Any Illinois health care facility that allows visitation must let patients have designated visitors of age 18 or older, except if allowing a visitor would endanger the patient’s health or interfere with their treatment.
Even in a state emergency such as a disease outbreak, facilities must allow at least one visitor per patient, though they may require visitors to undergo health screenings. Nursing homes or long-term care facilities can deny visitation but must explain in writing why the visitor’s presence would pose a safety risk to themselves or others.
Identification of Medical Personnel
Patients have the right to know the name of the physician in charge of their care, and all medical personnel must wear a badge that shows their name and position. Patients are also entitled to know the profession or any individual providing medical treatment or care to them.
What Happens If A Healthcare Provider Or Insurer Violates Patient Rights?
Providers who violate a patient’s right to transparent billing are fined $500, and companies or providers that violate the insurance policy notice or medical privacy regulations will be fined $1,000.
What Can Patients Do If Their Rights Are Violated?
If you suspect your medical provider has violated the Medical Patient Rights Act, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Illinois Attorney General to report the behavior.
Our skilled legal team has ample experience handling violations of patients’ rights in Illinois. We can help you report your experiences to the proper authorities, build a strong case, and get you the justice you deserve.
Conclusion
Knowing your rights under the Illinois Patient Bill of Rights is the best way to ensure they aren’t violated. Our attorneys are ready to help you respond to any illegal activity by your health care provider. We’ve recovered more than $2 billion in compensation for our clients since 1992. Contact us online or call (312) 332-2872 today to schedule a free consultation and learn more.
Testimonials
Not only were they so professional but also so caring and thoughtful. It was very difficult going over the facts in our mother's case but they were so compassionate and understanding and allowed us to be with them every step of the way. We were able to sit in on the depositions and we were really able to see how hard they worked on our behalf.
During that time, my family and I suffered the loss of my mother. Mr. Levin and Mr. Perconti were more than just our lawyers. Words can’t really express our gratitude.
They were most patient and responded timely to many questions throughout the entire process. All demonstrated professionalism and extensive knowledge of case and state laws. Their in-depth investigative work uncovered details which were unknown to us and yet sadly confirmed our suspicions. We would recommend the Levin and Perconti Law firm and especially this team.
During that time, my family and I suffered the loss of my mother. Mr. Levin and Mr. Peconti were more than just our lawyers. Words can’t really express our gratitude. My family and I will always be grateful for the compassion that they showed us. I want to thank you for what you did for my family, and for always being there for us.
Margaret’s representation, guidance, and professionalism gave us the sense that we could put our trust in Levin & Perconti and the final outcome proved that to be true.
Legally Reviewed by
Steven M. Levin
Contact Us
- Free Consultation
- (312) 332-2872
"*" indicates required fields
Related Pages
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Bed Sores
- Broken Bones
- Chemical Restraints
- CILA Group Home Abuse
- Elder Abuse
- Falls
- Financial Exploitation
- Inadequate Training
- Malnutrition & Dehydration
- Medication Errors
- MRSA
- Overmedication
- Physical Restraints
- Poor Hygiene
- Sepsis
- Sexual Assault
- Understaffing
- Wandering & Elopement
- Wrongful Death
Notable Results
VERDICT
on behalf of an 85-year-old woman injured in a nursing home when her medications were mismanaged.
VERDICT
for the estate of a 67-year-old man who died from complications related to a fall
SETTLEMENT
for a 59-year-old resident who developed multiple painful and infected bedsores which took four years to heal.
FAQs
- What are the warning signs of nursing home abuse?
- What are the four stages of bedsores?
- How much is a bedsore lawsuit worth?
- How long does it take to get bedsores?
- Can you die from bedsores?
- What are the three stages of sepsis?
- How can nursing home falls be prevented?
- Are bedsores preventable?
- What Is nursing home liability insurance?
Our Office
325 N LaSalle Dr Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60654
312-332-2872
