Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Clinica Sierra Vista Community Health Center is committed to providing high-quality, cost-effective health care to the people we serve. We believe that every patient deserves to be treated with respect, dignity, and concern. We will provide care regardless of race, creed, sex, national origin, or source of payment.

We consider you a partner in your health care. When you are well informed, participate in treatment decisions and communicate openly with your doctor and other health professionals, you help make your care as effective as possible. Clinica Sierra Vista Community Health Center encourages respect for the personal preferences and values of everyone. It is our goal to assure that your rights as a patient are observed and to act as a partner in your decision-making process.

While you are a patient at Clinica Sierra Vista Community Health Center, you have the following rights:

Access to Care

To exercise these rights without regard to gender, sexual orientation, culture, economics, education, religion, language, age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, presence of a disability, or the source of payment for your care.
To obtain a reasonable response to any reasonable request made for services within the Health Center's capacity, stated mission, applicable laws, and regulations. The Health Center will give each patient the necessary health services to the best of its ability, including the choice of clinician.
To have appropriate access to emergency services.

Active Participation in Your Care

To actively participate with your clinician in making decisions regarding your care. Your designated representative also has this right.
To formulate advance directives.

Considerate and Respectful Care

To considerate, respectful care and treatment that optimizes your comfort and dignity.
To appropriate care which reflects your desires, or that of a legal representative (surrogate decision maker), while acknowledging physical limitations, psychosocial, spiritual, and cultural concerns.
To reasonable continuity of care and knowledge in advance of the time and location of future appointments, as well as the identity of the persons providing that care.

Health Information Rights

Although your health record is the physical property of Clinica Sierra Vista, the information belongs to you. Upon written request and an agreed-upon date and time, you have the right to:

Obtain a paper copy of this notice of information practices upon request.
Request a copy of your health record. A fee for copying may apply.
Request an amendment of your health record, if incorrect.
Request an accounting of your health information disclosures for purposes other than treatment, payment, and healthcare operations. It excludes disclosures we have made to you, to family members or friends involved in your care or for notification purposes.
Request communications of your health information by alternative means or at alternative locations.
Request a restriction on specific uses and disclosures of your information.
Request to revoke your authorization to use or disclose health information except to the extent that action has already been taken.

Knowledge and Information

To have knowledge of the name of the clinician who has primary responsibility for coordinating your care and the names and professional relationships of other health professionals who will see you.
To receive information from the clinician about your care and treatment in terms that you can understand.
To receive as much information about any proposed treatment or procedure as you may need in order to give informed consent or to refuse this course of treatment.

Language Services

If you require interpretation services, please let our staff know, and we'll provide an interpreter proficient in your preferred language to ensure effective communication during your medical visit.
For your convenience, medical documents can be translated upon request. Please inform us of your language preference, and we'll ensure you receive translated materials to aid in your understanding of your healthcare journey.

Open Payments Database Notice

For informational purposes only, a link to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments web page is provided here. The federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires that detailed information about payment and other payments of value worth over ten dollars ($10) from manufacturers of drugs, medical devices, and biologics to physicians and teaching hospital be made available to the public. You may search this federal database for payments made to physicians and teaching hospitals by visiting https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov/.

Privacy and Confidentiality

To full consideration of privacy concerning your care and treatment. Your visit, discussion, consultation, examination and treatment are confidential and will be conducted discreetly.
To confidential treatment of all information, communications, and records pertaining to your care and treatment. Written permission from you or your legally designated representative shall be obtained before medical records can be made available to anyone not directly concerned with patient care. You or your legally designated representative are entitled to access the information contained in your medical record, within the limits of the law.

Respect for Patient Rights

To express concerns or complaints about your care with the assurance that the presentation of a complaint will not compromise the quality of your care or future access to care and to expect a reasonable and timely response to your concerns.
To expect that all Clinica Sierra Vista personnel shall observe these patient rights and that all patient rights apply to the person who may have legal responsibility to make decisions regarding medical care on your behalf.
Receive information about Advanced Directives.

Sliding Fee Program

The Sliding Fee Program provides discounts to eligible patients based on household size and
income level. Please bring the following documents (if available) to your Enrollment
appointment:

Valid Identification (driver’s license, identification card, etc.)
Verification of current address (ex. utility bill showing your name and current address)
Proof of income, all sources, for all persons age 15 and over living in the household (check stubs from the last 30 days, benefits award letter, W2’s, child support, tax returns, etc.)

All patients must be re-evaluated every twelve (12) months to determine eligibility for the
program. The Sliding Fee Discount Program applies to most services provided by Clinica Sierra
Vista. Click here to visit our Assurance Card page and learn more.

While you are a patient at Clinica Sierra you have the following responsibilities:

Provide your doctor with accurate and complete health information.
Let your doctor know that you understand the medical procedures and what you are expected to do.
Be considerate and respectful of others, both patients and staff.
If you do not follow your clinician’s plan or if you refuse treatment, you must accept responsibility for your actions.

No Show/ Late Policy

If one anticipates being late to their appointment, it is advisable to inform your assigned clinic as soon as possible. If you are more than 5 minutes late, you will be instructed to wait for the next available slot, can be referred to a medical walk-in location, or will be rescheduled for another day.

Please read below for more of our No Show/ Late Policy:

We value your time and strive to provide excellent service to all our patients. To ensure the smooth operation of our clinic and to accommodate all scheduled appointments, we have implemented a 5-minute late arrival policy. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our policy below:

Timeliness Matters: We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise, causing delays. However, arriving on time for your appointment helps us maintain an efficient schedule for all patients. We kindly request that you arrive promptly at your scheduled appointment time.
Grace Period: We allow a grace period of 5 minutes for late arrivals. If you arrive within this grace period, we will do our best to accommodate you for your appointment.
Rescheduling for Excessive Delays: If you arrive more than 5 minutes late for your appointment, we may need to reschedule your visit. This is to ensure that we can provide adequate time and attention to both you and other patients. We understand that this may be inconvenient, and we will make every effort to find a new appointment time that fits your schedule.
Communication is Key: If you anticipate being late or are experiencing unexpected delays, please contact our clinic as soon as possible. We may be able to make accommodations or reschedule your appointment to a more convenient time.
Courtesy to Fellow Patients: Being punctual demonstrates respect for both our staff's time and the time of other patients. We appreciate your cooperation in adhering to our late arrival policy to ensure a positive experience for everyone.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation regarding our late arrival policy. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. We look forward to serving you and providing the highest quality of care at Clinica Sierra Vista!