Each client receiving services shall have: 

• The right to be informed of these rights, as evidenced by the client's written acknowledgment or by documentation by staff in the clinical record that the client was offered a written copy of these rights and given a written or verbal explanation of these rights in terms the client could understand; 

• All patients who present to New Life for evaluation for treatment will receive a copy of the New Life Orientation Packet. The patient’s Bill of Rights are listed in the Orientation Packet, also there is a posted list of the “Patient’s Bill of Rights” in plain view in all common areas of the facility 

• During the new patient evaluation the Nurse will orient the new patient to the program. During the orientation the nurse will discuss the patient’s bill of rights and answer any question the patient may have. Upon completion of the patient orientation to the program the nurse will obtain a signed acknowledgment from the patient that they have received orientation to the program and have received a copy of their Bill of Rights. . 

• The right to be notified of any rules and policies the program has established governing client conduct in the facility; 

• The right to be informed of services available in the program, the names and professional status of the staff providing and/or responsible for the client's care, and fees and related charges, including the payment, fee, deposit, and refund policy of the program and any charges for services not covered by sources of third-party payment or the program's basic rate; 

• The right to be informed if the program has authorized other health care and educational institutions to participate in his or her treatment, the identity and function of these institutions, and to refuse to allow their participation in his or her treatment; 

• The right to receive from his or her physicians or clinical practitioner(s) an explanation of his or her complete medical/health condition or diagnosis, recommended treatment, treatment options, including the option of no treatment, risks(s) of treatment, and expected result(s), in terms that he or she understands; 

• If, in the opinion of the medical director or director of substance abuse counseling, this information would be detrimental to the client's health, or if the client is not capable of understanding the information, the explanation shall be provided to a family member, legal guardian or significant other, as available; 

• Release of information to a family member, legal guardian or significant other, along with the reason for not informing the client directly, shall be documented in the client's clinical record; and 

• All consents to release information shall be signed by client or their parent, guardian or legally authorized representative; 

• The right to participate in the planning of his or her care and treatment, and to refuse medication and treatment; 

• A client's refusal of medication or treatment shall be documented in the client's clinical record; 

• The right to participate in experimental research only when the client gives informed, written consent to such participation, or when a guardian or legally authorized representative gives such consent for an incompetent client in accordance with law, rule and regulation; 

• The right to voice grievances or recommend changes in policies and services to program staff, the governing authority, and/or outside representatives of his or her choice either individually or as group, free from restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal; 

• The right to be free from mental and physical abuse, exploitation, and from use of restraints; 

• A client's ordered medications shall not be withheld for failure to comply with facility rules or procedures, unless the decision is made to terminate the client in accordance with this chapter; medications may only be withheld when the facility medical staff determines that such action is medically indicated; 

• The right to confidential treatment of information about the client. 

• Information in the client's clinical record shall not be released to anyone outside the program without the client's written approval to release the information in accordance with Federal statutes and rules for the Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Client Records at 42 U.S.C. §§290dd2, and 290ee2, and 42 CFR Part 2 §§2.1 et seq., and the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) at 45 CFR Parts 160 and 164, unless the release of the information is required and permitted by law, a third-party payment contract, a peer review, or the information is needed by DAS for statutorily authorized purposes; and 

• The program may release data about the client for studies containing aggregated statistics only when the client's identity is protected and masked; 

• The right to be treated with courtesy, consideration, respect, and with recognition of his or her dignity, individuality, and right to privacy, including, but not limited to, auditory and visual privacy; 

• The client's privacy also shall be respected when program staff are discussing the client with others; 

• The right to exercise civil and religious liberties, including the right to independent personal decisions; 

• No religious beliefs or practices, or any attendance at religious services, shall be imposed upon any client; 

• The right to not be discriminated against because of age, race, religion, sex, nationality, sexual orientation, disability (including, but not limited to, blind, deaf, hard of hearing), or ability to pay; or to be deprived of any constitutional, civil, and/or legal rights. 

• Programs shall not discriminate against clients taking medications as prescribed; 

• The right to be transferred or discharged only for medical reasons, for the client's welfare, that of other clients or staff upon the written order of a physician or other licensed clinician, or for failure to pay required fees as agreed at time of admission (except as prohibited by sources of third-party payment); 

• Transfers and discharges, and the reasons therefore, shall be documented in the client's clinical record; and 

• If a transfer or discharge on a nonemergency basis is planned by the outpatient substance abuse treatment program, the client and his or her family shall be given at least 10-day notice of such transfer or discharge, except as otherwise provided for in N.J.A.C. 10:161B6.4(c); 

• The right to be notified in writing, and to have the opportunity to appeal, an involuntary discharge; and 

• The right to have access to and obtain a copy of his or her clinical record, in accordance with the program's policies and procedures and applicable Federal and State laws and rules. 

• Informed Consent 

• Federal Law requires that clients be informed of their rights in regard to protected health information and that clients authorize the use and disclosure of this protected health information at New Life Medical Detox. 

• Revocation: Clients have the right to revoke consent to disclose protected health information. Clients may revoke client's authorization either verbally or in writing except fewer than two conditions. Revocation will not be effective if: 

• We took action relying on the written authorization before it was revoked 

• We obtained the authorization as a condition of a court order, probation or parole placement 

• In these cases, we are authorized to continue to communicate with the identified court officers up to and including discharge from treatment. 

• Restricted Access: Clients have the right to request that restrictions be placed on certain uses and disclosures of protected health information as permitted by law. 

• To assure that New Life Medical Detox staff fully understand clients' wishes with regard to their protected health information, clients will be asked to consent to specific health information on each consent form. 

• Such a form is attached for review. 

• Right to Inspect Records: Clients have the right to inspect and copy protected health information about him or her, except for any psychotherapy notes, information relating to civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings, and certain information prohibited by law from disclosure. 

• We are allowed by law to deny access in some circumstances New Life Medical Detox has developed policies and procedures related to access of the record. 

• If clients desire to review a copy of their record, clients must request access through their primary counselor. 

• Right to Amend: Clients have the right to request that we amend protected health information about clients maintained in our records. 

• We are permitted to deny requests if we did not create the information in the record. 

• We will review any such request in accordance with federal law and respond to clients in writing. 

• Any such request should be in writing addressed to the Facility Administrator of New Life Medical Detox. 

• All requests for amendment should provide necessary details, including your name, address, dates of service and a reason supporting their request for the amendment. 

• Right to an Accounting: Clients have the right to receive an accounting from us of disclosures of protected health information about client made for up to the four (4) years prior to the request for the accounting. 

• This right does not apply to: 

• Disclosures made to carry out treatment, payment, or health care operations 

• Disclosures made pursuant to an authorization in compliance with federal law 

• Disclosures made for law enforcement purposes 

• Disclosures authorized by law. 

• Any request for an accounting should be sent to the Facility Administrator of New Life Medical Detox. 

• Right to be informed of Breech 

• Clients have the right to be informed of any breach of confidential information within 4 days of the time of the breech or the time when New Life Medical Detox became aware of the breech, including the information that was shared, to whom the information was shared and our plan for corrective action. 

• Right to Complain/Grievance Procedure 

• If clients believe their privacy rights have been violated, clients have the right to complain. Clients can address their complaint, in writing, following the Grievance Policy. 

• Uniform Data Collection System 

• New Life Medical Detox is a private for-profit company that does not receive federal funding, however New Life Medical does utilize a data collection and recordkeeping system. A report tracking demographic information about clients is created, managed, and maintained by Intake Coordinator. 

• This demographic information is used by the Administration and owner in assessing program goals and objectives. 

• Active patients of New Life will not ever be asked to perform duties on behalf of the organization. 

• Once a patient graduates from a New Life Program they will be eligible for hire within the organization after 12 months of active participation in a 12-step or equivalent program and sustained sobriety.