As a consumer of healthcare services you are entitled to certain rights. These rights could include things such as: choice of providers and plans, access to emergency services, participation in treatment decisions, respect and nondiscrimination, confidentiality of health information and complaints and appeals.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights maintains a website on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, also known as "HIPAA". Included on this site is a fact sheet describing your rights under the law and information on filing a health information privacy complaint.

HIPAA Listserve
This site is a sign-up for a HIPAA list serve to keep you informed on the latest national healthcare information.

Family and Medical Leave Act
The Family and Medical Leave Act allows an "eligible" employee to take 12 weeks of leave for certain family and medical reasons during a 12-month period. This web page explains the law in depth.

U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor website provides information on: compliance assistance, consumer healthcare information, newborn and mother's protections, HIPAA information, women's health and cancer rights protections, and more.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides information on how to submit a complaint to the Office of Civil Rights. The website contains downloadable forms and instructions.

Center for Medicare Advocacy
The Center for Medicare Advocacy is a non-profit organization that provides education, legal assistance and advocacy for elders and people with disabilities.