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Patient Rights & Responsibilities

It is your right to be informed about all aspects of your health care. If there is something you do not understand, we encourage you to ask any member of our staff. Your basic rights as a patient are listed below. For a complete listing of your rights and responsibilities at MIT Medical, you may download our brochure, Patient Rights and Responsibilities (PDF) in English, Chinese (simplified), Japanese or Korean.

Your Rights: A quick summary

As an MIT Medical patient, you have the right to:

  • Be informed about, and participate in, decisions about your care, including giving informed consent to the extent provided by law
  • A clear explanation of all treatment options and their pros and cons
  • Include your family in discussions about your care, if you so choose
  • Confidentiality of all communications and records to the extent provided by law
  • Inspect your medical records and to receive a copy
  • A private and secure treatment area, within the capacity of MIT Medical to provide it
  • A clear explanation of the costs of your treatment
  • Information about financial assistance or free care, if you request it
  • Care that is considerate and respectful of your personal values and beliefs

Your Responsibilities: A quick summary

As a patient, you play a key role in helping us provide you with the best possible care.

As an MIT Medical patient you are responsible for:

  • Providing accurate and complete information about your past and present health issues, medications, illnesses, and hospitalizations
  • Asking questions when you do not understand what you have been told about your care or what you are expected to do
  • Following the care, service, or treatment plan developed, or if you do not, accepting responsibility for the consequences
  • Being courteous to MIT Medical staff and respecting MIT Medical property
  • Promptly meeting any financial obligation to MIT Medical

Further Questions

If you have any questions about your rights or responsibilities as a patient, you may discuss them with your primary care provider, other care provider, or with:

MIT Medical’s Patient Relations Coordinator
617-253-4976
advocate@med.mit.edu

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine
560 Harrison Avenue, Suite G-4
Boston, MA 02118
617-654-9800
617-423-5604, TTY

Massachusetts Department of Public Health
250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108-4619
617-624-6000
617-624-6001, TTY

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
Office of Quality Monitoring
complaint@jcaho.org
1-800-994-6610