You’ve already heard plenty about how eating better and exercising can actively preserve your physical health, but there are many other ways to work to protect your body. Knowing your legal rights is one of the most effective ways to stay healthy.
Your rights in regard to your physical wellness are very clear. All you have to do is seek out the right tidbits of knowledge. Start now, and read through this brief summary of some of the most important legal elements you should know regarding your health.
Laws protecting you when you’re injured
When you get hurt due to someone else’s negligence, you are not liable for the financial fallout of your injury. For instance, you’re walking down the street and get bit by a dog. The legal responsibility regarding the effects of the dog bite falls on the owner of the animal.
If you find yourself in a situation where you are dealing with the aftermath of an injury that was no fault of your own, you should hire a dog bite attorney or someone similar immediately.
Discrimination regarding treatment in hospitals
Hospitals with accreditation from The Joint Commission are automatically prohibited from actively displaying discrimination against patients in regard to their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
Though The Joint Commission is against discrimination, it doesn’t really do much to enforce their stance. Hospitals are not required to have an anti-discrimination policy on the books. In addition, medical workers in hospitals are not required to train employees in LGBTQ cultural competencies.
Understanding the benefits of healthcare laws
Health care laws are generally aimed at providing better circumstances for patients. Health care law is the reason insurance companies are not allowed to refuse to cover people with pre-existing conditions.
Health care laws also help to provide free preventative care. Organizations like Planned Parenthood give women options they wouldn’t otherwise have due to some provisional health care laws.
You have a right to your information
If you’re not familiar with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act), the boundaries of the legal provisions will enlighten you. HIPAA gives patients the right to privacy regarding their health information.
Hospitals and physicians are not legally obliged to provide information about your well-being to anyone without your permission. On the flipside, they are legally required to provide you with all the information they have on your health.
Don’t live in the dark, and demand that you have an open line of communication with your healthcare provider.
Learn how to file a complaint
If you find yourself in a situation where you are treated unjustly in regards to your health, you have options. You can file a complaint with your health insurance company, or you can file a complaint with the HHS Office for Civil Rights.
