Consumer Rights

Alliance believes that every consumer has the following rights:

• The right to receive information about Alliance, its services, its providers/practitioners, and member rights and responsibilities presented in a manner appropriate to your ability to understand.
• The right to be treated with respect and recognition of your dignity and right to privacy.
• The right to participate with providers/practitioners in making decisions regarding your health care.
• The right to a candid discussion with service providers/practitioners on appropriate or medically necessary treatment options for your conditions, regardless of cost or benefit coverage. You may need to decide among relevant treatment options, the risks, benefits and consequences, including your right to refuse treatment and to express your preferences about future treatment decisions regardless of benefit coverage limitation.
• The right to voice complaints or appeals about the organization or the care it provides.
• The right to make recommendations regarding the organization’s member rights and responsibilities policy.
• The right to be free from any form of restraint or seclusion used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation.
• The right to refuse treatment.
• The right to request and receive a copy of your medical record, subject to therapeutic privilege, and to request that the medical record be amended or corrected. If the doctor or therapist determines that this would be detrimental to your physical well‐being, you can request that the information be sent to a physician or professional of your choice.
• If you disagree with what is written in your medical records, you have the right to write a statement to be placed in your file. However, the original notes will also stay in the record until the statute of limitations ends according to the MH/DD/SA retention schedule (11 years for adults, 12 years after a minor reaches the age of 18, 15 years for DUI records).
• The right to a second opinion.
• The right to participate in the development of a written person-centered treatment plan that builds on individual needs, strengths and preferences. A treatment plan must be implemented within 30 days after services start.
• The right to take part in the development and periodic review of your treatment plan and to consent to treatment goals in it.
• The right to freedom of speech and freedom of religious expression.
• The right to equal employment and educational opportunities.
• The right to treatment in the most natural, age‐appropriate and least restrictive environment possible.
• The right to ask questions when you do not understand your care or what you are expected to do.

Minors have the right to agree to some treatments without the consent of a parent or guardian:

• For treatment of venereal diseases
• For pregnancy
• For abuse of controlled substances or alcohol
• For emotional disturbances