Q |​ What rights do I have as a patient? What should I do if my rights are violated?

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As a patient, your rights include but are not limited to:

 

• The right to nondiscrimination by race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability under the Affordable Care Act
   

• The right to privacy of your health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
   

• The right to self-determination under the Patient Self-Determination Act
   

• The right to be free from abuse, mistreatment, and neglect in long-term care under the Nursing Home Reform Act

 

These are just some of your rights. You should be able to access a state- and institution-specific patient bill of rights through the health system or organization where you receive care. Look for specific protections for gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

 

If you believe your rights have been violated, you can:
 

• Bring a complaint to your healthcare provider or to the health system where you receive care.
   

• File an appeal, if your complaint relates to denial of insurance coverage.
   

• Seek legal counsel.
   

• File a discrimination complaint with state or federal agencies.

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For more information about your healthcare rights, see this resource from Advocates for Trans Equality→.

 

You can also report discrimination and share concerns about your rights to the ACLU:
 

• Report LGBTQ/HIV discrimination→
   

• Report concerns about passports and gender markers→