Patient Rights

Every patient/patient representative has the right to:

• Be provided with verbal and written notice of patient rights in advance of the date of the procedure in a language and manner that they understand;
• Receive private, respectful, and safe care by competent personnel free of all forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation or harassment;
• Be informed in advance regarding care, diagnosis, treatment and the risks and benefits of such, and prognosis;
• Make informed decisions regarding care and treatment and to receive information necessary to make those decisions;
• Refuse care, treatment, scheduled provider, and to be informed of the medical consequences of refusing such;
• Refuse participation in research;
• Formulate advance directives and to have the health clinic comply with those directives unless the clinic notifies the patient of the inability to do so; and have their advance directive displayed in a prominent place on their medical record;
• Information concerning the HSC's policies on advance directives, including a description of applicable State health and safety laws and, if requested, official State advance directive forms;
• Personal privacy and confidentiality of medical records. (The HSC must comply with the DHHS' rules for the privacy and security of individually identifiable information.)
• Access information contained in your medical record within a reasonable time when requested;
• Receive services without discrimination based upon race, color, religion, gender, national origin or payer;
• Request information about a health care provider's credentials;
• Change providers, if other qualified providers ar available.
• Voice complaints and grievances without discrimination or reprisal and have those complaints and grievances addressed.

Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills

When you get emergency care or get treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are protected from surprise billing or balance billing.

To view a PDF with more information, click here.

Heartland Surgery Center sincerely hopes that we meet your expectations. If you wish to voice a complaint or make a suggestion, please call (308) 865-2670 and ask to speak to the Administrator or the Director of Clinical Services in his/her absence.

Heartland Surgery Center is licensed as a Health Clinic by the State of Nebraska.

Complaints may be directed to:
Department of Health & Human Services
Division of Public Health Licensure Unit
Attn: Health Facility Investigations
PO Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-4986
402-471-0316

Heartland Surgery Center is accredited by Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc.  Complaints may be directed to:
Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc.
5250 Orchard Road, Suite 200
Skokie, IL 60077
847-853-6060

Patients who are Medicare beneficiaries may receive additional help from the Beneficiary Ombudsman:
http://www.medicare/claimsandappeals/medicare-rights/get-help/ombudsman.html