Kinwell Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Kinwell respects the rights of all our patients, equally and individually

We are committed to being a trusted primary care partner. Kinwell does not discriminate against any patient on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. If you experience discrimination as a Kinwell patient, please contact Kinwell’s civil rights coordinator at 206-210-9796 or compliance@kinwellhealth.com.

Patient rights

As a patient at Kinwell, you have the right to:

  1. Care that supports privacy, personal dignity, respect, and your individual needs.
  2. Reasonable access to care and treatment and/or accommodations that are available or medically advisable regardless of one’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a disabled veteran or having an advance directive.
  3. Care that is respectful of your cultural, psychosocial, and spiritual preferences.
  4. Reasonable access to interpreter services if you are non-English speaking or have vision, speech, hearing, or cognitive impairments.
  5. Express your values and beliefs and exercise spiritual and cultural beliefs that do not interfere with the delivery of patient care, the well-being of others, or your planned course of treatment.
  6. Receive information in a manner that you can understand.
  7. Security and protection of your physical person and rights.
  8. Delivery of care that is free from mental, physical, sexual or verbal abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Children or vulnerable adults who are unable to care for themselves have the right to protective intervention by the appropriate agencies to correct hazardous living conditions, abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
  9. Be involved in making decisions about your healthcare, including the right to accept medical care or refuse treatment to the extent of the law and to be informed of the medical consequences of such refusal.
  10. Be informed of unanticipated outcomes.
  11. Access your own health information, request an amendment to it, and receive an accounting of disclosures about it, as permitted under applicable law.
  12. Consideration for your personal privacy and the confidentiality of information and medical records.
  13. Make complaints about your care and receive a timely response. Patients can freely voice complaints and recommend changes without being subject to coercion; retribution; discrimination; or unreasonable interruption of care, treatment and services.
  14. Request and receive an itemized, detailed explanation of your bill for services rendered.

Patient responsibilities

As a patient at Kinwell, you are an important part of your care team. You have the responsibility to do the following:

  1. Keep appointments or let us know if you cannot make them.
  2. Provide accurate and complete information about your health, symptoms, and medications.
  3. Provide accurate and timely information about sources of payment and your ability to meet financial obligations.
  4. Promptly meet any financial obligation agreed to with Kinwell.
  5. Participate in discussions, ask questions, and make decisions affecting your plan of care.
  6. Ask your clinician questions when you do not understand your care, treatment plan, or what is expected of you.
  7. Tell your clinician or care team if there are any cultural considerations that could impact your care.
  8. Follow the treatment plan to which you agreed. Patients are responsible for the outcomes if they do not follow the care, treatment, and service plan.
  9. Notify your clinician or care team if you have concerns or complaints about any aspect of your care.
  10. Be considerate of the rights of other patients and staff. Patients may not verbally or physically assault staff or clinicians. Verbal or physical threats, violence, disrespectful communication, or harassment of other patients or of any staff member, for any reason will not be tolerated. This prohibition applies to patients and visitors.
  11. Refrain from interfering with care provided to other patients and the operations of Kinwell.
  12. Be respectful of the property of other persons and Kinwell.
  13. Be responsible for your personal belongings. This includes, but is not limited to dentures, eyeglasses, crutches, wheelchairs, and personal items such as jewelry. Kinwell is not responsible if these items are damaged or misplaced while visiting one of our clinics.
  14. Refrain from conducting any illegal activity on the premises.
  15. Refrain from bringing weapons or illegal substances on Kinwell property.

Conflict Resolution

Please notify your care team if you have concerns about your care, so Kinwell can do the following:

  • Investigate and address any wrongful actions against your rights.
  • Address concerns about the quality of care that Kinwell provides.

Kinwell encourages you, the patient, to talk with your healthcare team first. If this course of action does not meet your needs, we encourage you to contact the Quality team at patientexperience@kinwellhealth.com.

You have the right to contact the following government agencies:

Washington State Department of Health

Phone: 360-236-4700

Email: HSQAComplaintIntake@doh.wa.gov

Website: doh.wa.gov

Weapons and illegal substances

Weapons and illegal substances are not allowed on Kinwell property. The existence of a concealed weapons permit does not exempt a person from this policy. Please secure weapons prior to entering any clinic. Law enforcement personnel are authorized to carry their weapons in accordance with duty procedures.