Florida Senate - 2012                                    SB 1370
       
       
       
       By Senator Fasano
       
       
       
       
       11-00334-12                                           20121370__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to an at-home care patients’ bill of
    3         rights; providing the rights and responsibilities of a
    4         patient who receives health care services at home;
    5         providing an effective date.
    6  
    7  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
    8  
    9         Section 1. At-home care patients’ bill of rights.—
   10         (1) A patient who receives health care services at home may
   11  not be deprived of any civil or legal rights, benefits, or
   12  privileges guaranteed by law, the State Constitution, or the
   13  Constitution of the United States solely by reason of receiving
   14  health care services at home. Each such patient has the right
   15  to:
   16         (a) A certified and screened attendant if ordered by the
   17  patient’s physician.
   18         (b) A choice of health care providers.
   19         (c) A choice of products among those prescribed by his or
   20  her doctor.
   21         (d) Timely delivery of all products and services.
   22         (e) Regular servicing of medical equipment that is used in
   23  his or her home.
   24         (f) Quality care that is delivered in a professional
   25  manner.
   26         (g) Health care providers who honor appointment times.
   27         (h) Deny a health care provider access to his or her home
   28  if the provider:
   29         1. Does not have the proper paperwork required for
   30  providing health care services;
   31         2. Fails to give advance notice of the home health care
   32  appointment; or
   33         3. Has poor hygiene.
   34         (i) Be provided telephone access to his or her health care
   35  providers 24 hours a day.
   36         (j) Know what out-of-pocket expenses may be incurred with
   37  his or her treatments or insurance coverages.
   38         (k) Clear, easy to read, and concise contracts and
   39  agreements.
   40         (l) Work with a relative or advocate to assist in the
   41  selection of home health care equipment or providers.
   42         (2) A patient has the responsibility to:
   43         (a) Accurately represent his or her condition and needs and
   44  properly use the services and equipment that are provided in his
   45  or her home.
   46         (b) Care for health care equipment in his or her personal
   47  use.
   48         (c) Return health care equipment to its rightful owner
   49  after the term of use or when the patient’s physician determines
   50  that it is no longer necessary.
   51         (d) Inform a health care provider in advance regarding the
   52  primary language used in the patient’s home.
   53         (e) Honor appointment times for home health care visits.
   54         (f) Accept all qualified health care providers in his or
   55  her home regardless of race, creed, or sexual orientation.
   56         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2012.