The Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University presents these patient rights as part of our effort to provide you with effective patient care.  We believe that our patients will be more satisfied when they understand their rights and what they can expect from those who provide their care. 

You as a patient should know:

• You have a right to receive adequate and appropriate care, and to receive, in terms you can understand, information regarding your treatment including the risks, benefits and expected duration, alternate course of treatment, if any, and your prospects for recovery.  There are only rare exceptions to this when the doctor determines that sharing such information with his/her patient is medically contraindicated.
• You also have a right to refuse treatment to the extent allowed by law and to be informed about the consequences of that refusal.
• You have a right to know in advance about any experimental treatment proposed for you and can refuse to participate in the experiment without jeopardizing your right to receive continuing treatment in any way.
• Students in clinical training may observe the delivery of health care to you. If you object, no students except those involved in your care will be present during any procedure, examination, or consultation.
• Your medical records are confidential and will not be disclosed to a third party, except in accordance with HIPAA and the Michigan law.  As stated in HIPAA, we will obtain a signed patient authorization for treatment, payment, or health care operation.
• You, however, have a right to inspect your medical records or to receive a copy of them for a reasonable fee.  All you have to do is give us reasonable notice that you want to see them or ask us to make a copy and pay a reasonable per page copying charge.
• You will not be denied appropriate care on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, handicap, marital status, sexual preference or source of payment.