Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health, LLC believes that our patients have certain rights and expects all staff to respect these rights. Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health also believes that our patients have certain responsibilities about which they must be informed at the time they begin to receive services. This information is part of the organization's orientation process. We hope you will take a few minutes to become familiar with it.
Right to Receive Treatment
Patients have the right to receive treatment without the approval of others, except in the case of minor children or adults under guardianship as prescribed by law. All patients of Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health have the right to receive services without regard to race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health patients also have the right to be oriented to the program for which they request admission.
Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health staff will assess the patient’s need for treatment and determine the level of care needed. The assessment will include a decision about whether Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health can meet the patient’s treatment needs. If Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health denies admission, the patient may request a written explanation from the nurse practitioner. If the patient has concerns about the denial of admission, he/she has the right to register a complaint.
Right to Refuse Treatment
Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health offers treatment on a voluntary basis. Patients may refuse treatment services except when they are required to participate in treatment or services by court order or by the Board of Mental Health.
Right to Information about Fees
Fee policies and procedures are developed for the services we provide at Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health. The patient has a right to an explanation of the fees and the payment procedures and is required to sign a fee agreement/insurance policy. This documentation will be maintained in the patient record. If services are to be partially or fully paid by insurance or a managed care organization, patients are advised to contact that company for information about services covered, co-payments, and other terms and conditions.
Right to Examine Survey Results
The patient has a right to request to examine the results of surveys completed by the Department of Health and Human Services. Requests to review survey results will be directed to the Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health CEO or the Provider.
Right to be Free from Restraint
Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health is responsible for ensuring adults and children receive treatment and care in a safe environment. Some children and adults referred to Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health may exhibit difficult, argumentative, and aggressive behaviors. It is the responsibility of program staff and management to assure the safety of themselves and others in the environment, particularly children and other vulnerable persons, while providing professional services that include addressing and decreasing aggressive behaviors.
While receiving services through Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health, the patient has the right to be free from physical restraints and the right to be free from seclusion. The patient has the right not to be placed in a locked room except when in emergency protective custody by a law enforcement officer. He/she has the right to be free from physical punishment and to be free from abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of money or property.
Right to Request a Different Service Provider
On occasion, a patient and a nurse practitioner or service provider may not work well together. Patients have the right to request a change to another service provider/nurse practitioner if one is available. This request must be discussed and arranged through the CEO. The patient has the right to be free from arbitrary transfer to another provider and the right to be free from arbitrary discharge from services.
Patient Responsibilities
Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health expects patients to:
- Keep scheduled appointments or give a 24-hour notice when an appointment cannot be kept;
- Work on the problems they bring to the organization by taking an active role in their resolution;
- Provide relevant information as a basis for receiving services and participating in service decisions;
- Be considerate and respectful of the rights of fellow patients and staff, and the property;
- Meet the financial obligation they incur for treatment;
- Respect the organization’s smoke and drug-free environment. No person under the age of 18 may smoke or use other tobacco products on Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health premises.
Failure to meet any of these responsibilities may result in termination of services.
Right to Privacy and HIPAA Information
Individual Rights
- To request in writing that Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health not use or disclose information for a specific treatment, payment, or administrative purpose;
- To request a restriction of health information to the patient’s insurance plan if the patient is a self-pay patient and has paid for services in full at the time of service delivery;
- To inspect and copy protected health information, within the limits of Nebraska statutes and regulations;
- To request an electronic copy of health information that is stored in electronic form;
- To request that health information be communicated to the patient in a confidential manner, such as sending mail to an address other than home;
- To request amendments to protected health information;
- To receive an accounting of disclosures.
Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health Duties
- Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health is required by law to maintain the privacy of protected health information and to provide individuals with a Notice of Privacy Practices. Patients have the right, at any time, to receive a complete copy of the Notice of Privacy Practices.
- Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health is required to abide by the terms of the Notice currently in effect.
- Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health reserves the right to change the Notice of Privacy Practices effective for all protected health information that it maintains. A new Notice will then be posted in all patient areas.
- Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health is obligated to report abuse or neglect of children or vulnerable adults and has a duty to warn persons threatened to be harmed.
Complaints and Grievances
Patients, legal guardians, and other stakeholders have the right to file a complaint or grievance without fear of reprisal. Anyone filing a complaint has the right to have complaints/grievances heard and reviewed by the administration of Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health. Complaints may be related to issues such as lack of respect or considerate treatment, dissatisfaction with an assigned service provider, breach of confidentiality, case mishandling, confusion about procedures or policies, difficulty getting appointments, or violation of legal rights.
If a patient is concerned Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health has violated his/her privacy rights or disagrees with a decision Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health has made about access to records, information may be requested about how to file a complaint/grievance.
A written complaint may be sent to any of the following:
Attn: CEO
Nebraska Peace of Mind Behavioral Health
6301 Orchard St, Suite 3
Lincoln, NE 68505
Phone: 402-520-6616
Or to:
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Health Facilities Investigations
301 Centennial South, PO Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-4986
Phone: (402) 471-0316