Patient Responsibilities

St. Joseph Heritage Medical Group physicians are committed to partnering with you in maintaining your good health. As a patient, you have the responsibility to:

• Provide your healthcare provider with complete and accurate information.
• Understand your health problems and participate in developing mutually agreed upon treatment goals to the degree possible and notify him/her of any significant changes in your condition.
• Recognize that your primary care physician will provide the care he or she is trained to provide prior to seeking consultation with a specialist.
• Know the benefits, limitations and exclusions of your insurance coverage.
• Pay for services rendered, including co-payments and deductibles.
• Understand that before specialty care may be obtained, you must receive a referral from your primary care physician, if required by your insurance company.
• Give adequate notice of delay or cancellation of scheduled appointments.
• Contact your primary care physician or substitute anytime for perceived urgent medical needs or questions.
• Know how to access healthcare services for routine, urgent and emergency situations. An emergency is a serious condition requiring immediate intervention. An urgent condition could either lead to a potentially harmful outcome if not treated or requires immediate attention (within 24 hours) due to the severity of the symptoms. A non-urgent condition includes a limited physical exam or follow-up of acute or chronic medical or surgical conditions.
• To designate a family member(s) or other conservator(s) if you are unable to participate in treatment decisions.