Patient Bill of Rights

As a patient in a hospital in New York State, you have the right, consistent with law, to:

1. Understand and use these rights. If for any reason you do not understand or you need help, the hospital MUST provide assistance, including an interpreter.
2. Receive treatment without discrimination as to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, age or source of payment.
3. Receive considerate and respectful care in a clean and safe environment free of unnecessary restraints
4. Receive emergency care if you need it.
5. Be informed of the name and position of the doctor who will be in charge of your care in the hospital.
6. Know the names, positions and functions of any hospital staff involved in your care and refuse their treatment, examination or observation.
7. Identify a caregiver who will be included in your discharge planning and sharing of post-discharge care information or instruction.
8. Receive complete information about your diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
9. Receive all the information that you need to give informed consent for any proposed procedure or treatment. This information shall include the possible risks and benefits of the procedure or treatment.
10. Receive all the information you need to give informed consent for an order not to resuscitate. You also have the right to designate an individual to give this consent for you if you are too ill to do so. If you would like additional information, please ask for a copy of the pamphlet ”Deciding About Health Care — A Guide for Patients and Families.”
11. Refuse treatment and be told what effect this may have on your health.
12. Refuse to take part in research. In deciding whether or not to participate, you have the right to a full explanation.
13. Privacy while in the hospital and confidentiality of all information and records regarding your care.
14. Participate in all decisions about your treatment and discharge from the hospital. The hospital must provide you with a written discharge plan and written description of how you can appeal your discharge.
15. Review your medical record without charge and obtain a copy of your medical record for which the hospital can charge a reasonable fee. You cannot be denied a copy solely because you cannot afford to pay.
16. Receive an itemized bill and explanation of all charges.
17. View a list of the hospital’s standard charges for items and services and the health plans the hospital participates with.
18. Challenge an unexpected bill through the Independent Dispute Resolution process.
19. Complain without fear of reprisals about the care and services you are receiving and to have the hospital respond to you and if you request it, a written response. If you are not satisfied with the hospital’s response, you can complain to the New York State Health Department. The hospital must provide you with the State Health Department telephone number.
20. Authorize those family members and other adults who will be given priority to visit consistent with your ability to receive visitors.
21. Make known your wishes in regard to anatomical gifts. Persons sixteen years of age or older may document their consent to donate their organs, eyes and/or tissues, upon their death, by enrolling in the NYS Donate Life Registry or by documenting their authorization for organ and/or tissue donation in writing in a number of ways (such as a health care proxy, will, donor card, or other signed paper). The health care proxy is available from the hospital.

Public Health Law(PHL)2803 (1)(g)Patient’s Rights, 10NYCRR, 405.7,405.7(a)(1),405.7(c) | Version 2/2019

DNV GL – Healthcare Public Notice

Glens Falls Hospital is dedicated to providing a safe environment and is committed to providing quality care for its patients.

If you have concerns about patient care and safety in the hospital that have not been addressed, you are encouraged to contact the hospital administration/patient representative at 518-926-3450.

Glens Falls Hospital is accredited by DNV GL – Healthcare. If, for any reason, your concerns remain unaddressed, you may contact DNV GL – Healthcare Office by phone at 866-496-9647, by fax 281-870-4818, on their website www.dnvglhealthcare.com, or via email at hospitalcomplaint@dnv.com to report any concerns or to register complaints.

You can also mail your concern to:

Attn: Hospital Complaints
4435 Aicholtz Rd., Suite 900
Cincinnati, OH 45245

In addition, for information about Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (MOLST), please visit the New York State Department of Health web site.

Fraud, Waste & Abuse 

GFH is committed to deterring Fraud, Waste & Abuse.  If you have a matter that involves fraud, waste, abuse or compliance please call our compliance hotline at 518-264-TiPP (8477).

You may also contract the Federal Department of Health & Human Service for Medicare concerns or New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General.

Federal Department of Health & Human Services

• OIG Hotline: Phone: 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) or TTY 1-800-377-4950
• Fax: 1-800-223-8164
• Online: Forms.oig.hhs.gov/hotlineoperations/index.asp
• Mail: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General ATTN: OIG Hotline Operations, P.O. Box 23489 Washington, DC 20026

Office of Medicaid Inspector General

• Email: bmfa@omig.ny.gov
• Telephone: (877) 873-7283
• Fax:  (518) 408-0480
• Mail: NYS OMIG Bureau of Medicaid Fraud Allegations, 800 North Pearl Street, Albany, New York 12204