Patient’s Responsibilities

SEC. 6. The Obligations of Patients. – The Patient shall fulfill the following 16 obligations and responsibilities regarding his/her medical care and/or personal behavior:

1. Know Rights – The Patient shall ensure that he knows and understands what his/her rights as a Patient are and shall exercise those rights responsibly and reasonably.
2. Provide Adequate, Accurate and Complete Information – The Patient shall provide, to the best of his/her knowledge, adequate, accurate and complete information about all matters pertaining to his/her health, including medications and past or present medical problems, ailments, medical history, consultation with other physicians, results of diagnostic work-up and treatment, to his/her Health Care Provider.
3. Report Unexpected Health Changes – The Patient shall report unexpected changes to his/her condition or symptoms, including pain, to his/her Health Care Provider.
4. Understand the Purpose and Cost of Treatment – The Patient shall ensure that he/she understands the purpose and cost of any proposed treatment or procedure before deciding to accept it. He/she shall notify his/her Health Care Provider if he/she does not understand any information about the proposed care or treatment. The Patient shall insist upon explanations until adequately informed and shall endeavor to make all the necessary consultations before reaching a decision.
5. Accept the Consequences of Own Informed Consent – The Patient shall accept all the consequences of his/her own informed consent. If he/ she refuses treatment or does not follow the instructions or advice of the Health Care Provider, he/she must accept the consequences of such decision and relieve the Health Care Provider of any liability as a result of the exercise of his/her right to self-determination.
6. Settle Financial Obligations – The Patient shall ensure that the financial obligations as a result of his/her Health Care are fulfilled as promptly as possible. Otherwise, he/she shall make the appropriate arrangements to settle unpaid hospital bills and/or professional fees in accordance with Republic Act No. 9439. The patient must seek support from the State in order to establish a system of payment to Health Care Institutions and Providers.
7. Respect the Rights of Health Care Providers, Health Care Institutions and Other Patients – The Patient is obligated to give due respect to the rights and well-being of Health Care Providers, Health Care Institutions and other Patients. He shall act in a considerate and/or cooperative manner and shall give respect to the rights and properties of others. He shall follow the policies, rules and regulations, and procedures of Health Care Institutions.
8. Obligation to Self – The Patient shall refrain from indulging in unhealthy food consumption; addiction forming substance foods such as tobacco, alcohol and drugs; lifestyles that have an adverse impact on health, such as sexual promiscuity and reckless activities; and contamination of the environment. The Patient is obligated to maintain a state of wellness.
9. Provide Adequate Health Information and Actively Participate in His/Her Treatment. The Patient shall ensure that he/she has adequate health information that will allow him/her to actively participate in the formulation of his/her diagnostic and treatment plans. When he/she signs an informed consent, it is assumed that he has the necessary information.
10. Respect the Right to Privacy of Health Care Providers and Institutions. – The Patient has the obligation to submit grievances to the proper authorities or venue and not resort to unwarranted publicity in the media. He/she shall not disclose to the public any alleged complaint against Health Care Providers and/or Institutions if it has not been fully decided by a court or administrative tribunal of prosper jurisdiction.
11. Exercise Fidelity on Privileged Communication – A patient-physician relationship is a fiduciary one where mutual trust, respect and confidence are expected. All communications are privileged and the patient’ is obliged not to breach this privileged communication especially if it involves a third party.
12. Respect a Physician’s Refusal to Treat Him – While the Patient has the right to choose his/her physician, he/she is also obligated to respect the physician’s decision to choose whom he/she will treat.
13. Respect the Physician’s Decision on Medical Reasons based on his/her Religious Beliefs – The Patient is obliged to respect the physician’s religious beliefs. If the Patient is a minor or is legally incapacitated, his/her parents or legal representatives are obliged to likewise respect the physician’s decision on mailers relating to medical reasons despite their religious beliefs.
14. Ensure Integrity and Authenticity of Medical Records – The Patient is obliged to ensure the integrity and authenticity of his/her medical records. Any manner of alteration of his/her records is a criminal offense subject to the provisions of the Revised Penal Code.
15. Participate in the Training of Competent Future Physicians – The Patient is obligated to participate in the training of future physicians provided that necessary information is provided to him/her and the appropriate ethical considerations are observed.
16.  Report Infractions and Exhaust Grievance Mechanism. – The Patient shall immediately inform his/her Health Care Provider of any perceived or alleged infraction of his/her rights as set forth in this Act through proper channels in order to promote mutual trust, respect and confidence, between the Provider and the and Patient. The Patient shall exhaust the grievance mechanism mediation provided in Sections 7-8 of this Act before filing any administrative or legal action.