Connecticut General Statutes
Chapter 368v - Health Care Institutions
Section 19a-550. (Formerly Sec. 19-622). - Patients' bill of rights.

(a)(1) As used in this section, (A) “nursing home facility” has the same meaning as provided in section 19a-521, (B) “residential care home” has the same meaning as provided in section 19a-521, and (C) “chronic disease hospital” means a long-term hospital having facilities, medical staff and all necessary personnel for the diagnosis, care and treatment of chronic diseases; and (2) for the purposes of subsections (c) and (d) of this section, and subsection (b) of section 19a-537, “medically contraindicated” means a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of a potential room transfer on the patient's physical, mental and psychosocial well-being, which determines that the transfer would cause new symptoms or exacerbate present symptoms beyond a reasonable adjustment period resulting in a prolonged or significant negative outcome that could not be ameliorated through care plan intervention, as documented by a physician, physician assistant or an advanced practice registered nurse in a patient's medical record.

(b) There is established a patients' bill of rights for any person admitted as a patient to any nursing home facility, residential care home or chronic disease hospital. The patients' bill of rights shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Sections 1919(b), 1919(c), 1919(c)(2), 1919(c)(2)(D) and 1919(c)(2)(E) of the Social Security Act. The patients' bill of rights shall provide that each such patient: (1) Is entitled to treat his or her living quarters as his or her home and, subject to rules designed to protect the privacy, health and safety of other patients at a nursing home facility, residential care home or chronic disease hospital, has no fewer rights than any other resident of the state, including, but not limited to (A) associating and communicating privately with persons of the patient's choice, and (B) purchasing and using technology of the patient's choice, including, but not limited to, technology that may facilitate virtual visitation with family and other persons, provided operation and use of such technology shall not violate any individual's right to privacy under state or federal law; (2) is fully informed, as evidenced by the patient's written acknowledgment, prior to or at the time of admission and during the patient's stay, of the rights set forth in this section and of all rules and regulations governing patient conduct and responsibilities; (3) is fully informed, prior to or at the time of admission and during the patient's stay, of services available in such facility or chronic disease hospital, and of related charges including any charges for services not covered under Titles XVIII or XIX of the Social Security Act, or not covered by basic per diem rate; (4) in such facility or hospital is entitled to choose the patient's own physician or advanced practice registered nurse and is fully informed, by a physician or an advanced practice registered nurse, of the patient's medical condition unless medically contraindicated, as documented by the physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse in the patient's medical record, and is afforded the opportunity to participate in the planning of the patient's medical treatment and to refuse to participate in experimental research; (5) in a residential care home or a chronic disease hospital is transferred from one room to another within such home or chronic disease hospital only for medical reasons, or for the patient's welfare or that of other patients, as documented in the patient's medical record and such record shall include documentation of action taken to minimize any disruptive effects of such transfer, except a patient who is a Medicaid recipient may be transferred from a private room to a nonprivate room, provided no patient may be involuntarily transferred from one room to another within such home or chronic disease hospital if (A) it is medically established that the move will subject the patient to a reasonable likelihood of serious physical injury or harm, or (B) the patient has a prior established medical history of psychiatric problems and there is psychiatric testimony that as a consequence of the proposed move there will be exacerbation of the psychiatric problem that would last over a significant period of time and require psychiatric intervention; and in the case of an involuntary transfer from one room to another within such home or chronic disease hospital, the patient and, if known, the patient's legally liable relative, guardian or conservator or a person designated by the patient in accordance with section 1-56r, is given not less than thirty days' and not more than sixty days' written notice to ensure orderly transfer from one room to another within such home or chronic disease hospital, except where the health, safety or welfare of other patients is endangered or where immediate transfer from one room to another within such home or chronic disease hospital is necessitated by urgent medical need of the patient or where a patient has resided in such home or chronic disease hospital for less than thirty days, in which case notice shall be given as many days before the transfer as practicable; (6) is encouraged and assisted, throughout the patient's period of stay, to exercise the patient's rights as a patient and as a citizen, and to this end, has the right to (A) be fully informed about patients' rights by state or federally funded patient advocacy programs, (B) present grievances and recommend changes in policies, procedures and services to the manager or staff of the nursing home facility, residential care home or chronic disease hospital, government officials or any other person without restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination or reprisal from the nursing home facility, residential care home or chronic disease hospital, and (C) access to representatives of the Department of Public Health or the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman; (7) shall have prompt efforts made by such nursing home facility, residential care home or chronic disease hospital to resolve grievances the patient may have, including those with respect to the behavior of other patients; (8) may manage the patient's personal financial affairs, and is given a quarterly accounting of financial transactions made on the patient's behalf; (9) is free from mental and physical abuse, corporal punishment, involuntary seclusion and any physical or chemical restraints imposed for purposes of discipline or convenience and not required to treat the patient's medical symptoms. Physical or chemical restraints may be imposed only to ensure the physical safety of the patient or other patients and only upon the written order of a physician or an advanced practice registered nurse that specifies the type of restraint and the duration and circumstances under which the restraints are to be used, except in emergencies until a specific order can be obtained; (10) is assured confidential treatment of the patient's personal and medical records, and may approve or refuse their release to any individual outside the facility, except in case of the patient's transfer to another health care institution or as required by law or third-party payment contract; (11) receives quality care and services with reasonable accommodation of individual needs and preferences, except where the health or safety of the individual would be endangered, and is treated with consideration, respect, and full recognition of the patient's dignity and individuality, including privacy in treatment and in care for the patient's personal needs; (12) is not required to perform services for the nursing home facility, residential care home or chronic disease hospital that are not included for therapeutic purposes in the patient's plan of care; (13) (A) may send and receive the patient's personal mail unopened and make and receive telephone calls privately, unless medically contraindicated, as documented by the patient's physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse in the patient's medical record, and (B) receives adequate notice before the patient's room or roommate in such facility, home or chronic disease hospital is changed; (14) is entitled to organize and participate in patient groups in such facility, home or chronic disease hospital and to participate in social, religious and community activities that do not interfere with the rights of other patients, unless medically contraindicated, as documented by the patient's physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse in the patient's medical records; (15) may retain and use the patient's personal clothing and possessions unless to do so would infringe upon rights of other patients or unless medically contraindicated, as documented by the patient's physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse in the patient's medical record; (16) is assured privacy for visits by the patient's spouse or a person designated by the patient in accordance with section 1-56r and, if the patient is married and both the patient and the patient's spouse are inpatients in the facility, they are permitted to share a room, unless medically contraindicated, as documented by the attending physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse in the medical record; (17) is fully informed of the availability of and may examine all current state, local and federal inspection reports and plans of correction; (18) may organize, maintain and participate in a patient-run resident council, as a means of fostering communication among residents and between residents and staff, encouraging resident independence and addressing the basic rights of nursing home facility, residential care home and chronic disease hospital patients and residents, free from administrative interference or reprisal; (19) is entitled to the opinion of two physicians concerning the need for surgery, except in an emergency situation, prior to such surgery being performed; (20) is entitled to have the patient's family or a person designated by the patient in accordance with section 1-56r meet in such facility, residential care home or chronic disease hospital with the families of other patients in the facility to the extent such facility, residential care home or chronic disease hospital has existing meeting space available that meets applicable building and fire codes; (21) is entitled to file a complaint with the Department of Social Services and the Department of Public Health regarding patient abuse, neglect or misappropriation of patient property; (22) is entitled to have psychopharmacologic drugs administered only on orders of a physician or an advanced practice registered nurse and only as part of a written plan of care developed in accordance with Section 1919(b)(2) of the Social Security Act and designed to eliminate or modify the symptoms for which the drugs are prescribed and only if, at least annually, an independent external consultant reviews the appropriateness of the drug plan; (23) is entitled to be transferred or discharged from the facility only pursuant to section 19a-535, 19a-535a or 19a-535b, as applicable; (24) is entitled to be treated equally with other patients with regard to transfer, discharge and the provision of all services regardless of the source of payment; (25) shall not be required to waive any rights to benefits under Medicare or Medicaid or to give oral or written assurance that the patient is not eligible for, or will not apply for benefits under Medicare or Medicaid; (26) is entitled to be provided information by the nursing home facility or chronic disease hospital as to how to apply for Medicare or Medicaid benefits and how to receive refunds for previous payments covered by such benefits; (27) is entitled to receive a copy of any Medicare or Medicaid application completed by a nursing home facility, residential care home or chronic disease hospital on behalf of the patient or to designate that a family member, or other representative of the patient, receive a copy of any such application; (28) on or after October 1, 1990, shall not be required to give a third-party guarantee of payment to the facility as a condition of admission to, or continued stay in, such facility; (29) is entitled to have such facility not charge, solicit, accept or receive any gift, money, donation, third-party guarantee or other consideration as a precondition of admission or expediting the admission of the individual to such facility or as a requirement for the individual's continued stay in such facility; and (30) shall not be required to deposit the patient's personal funds in such facility, home or chronic disease hospital.
(c) The patients' bill of rights shall provide that a patient in a rest home with nursing supervision or a chronic and convalescent nursing home may be transferred from one room to another within such home only for the purpose of promoting the patient's well-being, except as provided pursuant to subparagraph (C) or (D) of this subsection or subsection (d) of this section. Whenever a patient is to be transferred, such home shall effect the transfer with the least disruption to the patient and shall assess, monitor and adjust care as needed subsequent to the transfer in accordance with subdivision (10) of subsection (b) of this section. When a transfer is initiated by such home and the patient does not consent to the transfer, such home shall establish a consultative process that includes the participation of the attending physician or advanced practice registered nurse, a registered nurse with responsibility for the patient and other appropriate staff in disciplines as determined by the patient's needs, and the participation of the patient, the patient's family, a person designated by the patient in accordance with section 1-56r or other representative. The consultative process shall determine: (1) What caused consideration of the transfer; (2) whether the cause can be removed; and (3) if not, whether such home has attempted alternatives to transfer. The patient shall be informed of the risks and benefits of the transfer and of any alternatives. If subsequent to the completion of the consultative process a patient still does not wish to be transferred, the patient may be transferred without the patient's consent, unless medically contraindicated, only (A) if necessary to accomplish physical plant repairs or renovations that otherwise could not be accomplished; provided, if practicable, the patient, if the patient wishes, shall be returned to the patient's room when the repairs or renovations are completed; (B) due to irreconcilable incompatibility between or among roommates, which is actually or potentially harmful to the well-being of a patient; (C) if such home has two vacancies available for patients of the same sex in different rooms, there is no applicant of that sex pending admission in accordance with the requirements of section 19a-533 and grouping of patients by the same sex in the same room would allow admission of patients of the opposite sex, that otherwise would not be possible; (D) if necessary to allow access to specialized medical equipment no longer needed by the patient and needed by another patient; or (E) if the patient no longer needs the specialized services or programming that is the focus of the area of such home in which the patient is located. In the case of an involuntary transfer, such home shall, subsequent to completion of the consultative process, provide the patient and the patient's legally liable relative, guardian or conservator if any or other responsible party if known, with at least fifteen days' written notice of the transfer, which shall include the reason for the transfer, the location to which the patient is being transferred, and the name, address and telephone number of the regional long-term care ombudsman, except that in the case of a transfer pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this subsection at least thirty days' notice shall be provided. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, a patient may be involuntarily transferred immediately from one room to another within such home to protect the patient or others from physical harm, to control the spread of an infectious disease, to respond to a physical plant or environmental emergency that threatens the patient's health or safety or to respond to a situation that presents a patient with an immediate danger of death or serious physical harm. In such a case, disruption of patients shall be minimized; the required notice shall be provided not later than twenty-four hours after the transfer; if practicable, the patient, if the patient wishes, shall be returned to the patient's room when the threat to health or safety that prompted the transfer has been eliminated; and, in the case of a transfer effected to protect a patient or others from physical harm, the consultative process shall be established on the next business day.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, unless medically contraindicated, a patient who is a Medicaid recipient may be transferred from a private to a nonprivate room. In the case of such a transfer, the nursing home facility shall (1) give not less than thirty days' written notice to the patient and the patient's legally liable relative, guardian or conservator, if any, a person designated by the patient in accordance with section 1-56r or other responsible party, if known, which notice shall include the reason for the transfer, the location to which the patient is being transferred and the name, address and telephone number of the regional long-term care ombudsman; and (2) establish a consultative process to effect the transfer with the least disruption to the patient and assess, monitor and adjust care as needed subsequent to the transfer in accordance with subdivision (10) of subsection (b) of this section. The consultative process shall include the participation of the attending physician or advanced practice registered nurse, a registered nurse with responsibility for the patient and other appropriate staff in disciplines as determined by the patient's needs, and the participation of the patient, the patient's family, a person designated by the patient in accordance with section 1-56r or other representative.
(e) Any nursing home facility, residential care home or chronic disease hospital that negligently deprives a patient of any right or benefit created or established for the well-being of the patient by the provisions of this section shall be liable to such patient in a private cause of action for injuries suffered as a result of such deprivation. Upon a finding that a patient has been deprived of such a right or benefit, and that the patient has been injured as a result of such deprivation, damages shall be assessed in the amount sufficient to compensate such patient for such injury. The rights or benefits specified in subsections (b) to (d), inclusive, of this section may not be reduced, rescinded or abrogated by contract. In addition, where the deprivation of any such right or benefit is found to have been wilful or in reckless disregard of the rights of the patient, punitive damages may be assessed. A patient may also maintain an action pursuant to this section for any other type of relief, including injunctive and declaratory relief, permitted by law. Exhaustion of any available administrative remedies shall not be required prior to commencement of suit under this section.
(f) In addition to the rights specified in subsections (b), (c) and (d) of this section, a patient in a nursing home facility is entitled to have the facility manage the patient's funds as provided in section 19a-551.
(P.A. 75-468, S. 12, 17; P.A. 76-331, S. 15, 16; P.A. 79-265, S. 2; 79-378; P.A. 80-80; 80-120; P.A. 86-11; P.A. 89-348, S. 4, 10; P.A. 92-231, S. 3, 10; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; 93-327, S. 3; 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 96-81, S. 1; P.A. 97-112, S. 2; P.A. 01-195, S. 161, 181; P.A. 02-105, S. 6; P.A. 04-158, S. 1; P.A. 09-168, S. 1, 2; P.A. 13-208, S. 55; P.A. 14-122, S. 121; P.A. 15-50, S. 1; P.A. 16-39, S. 19; P.A. 21-55, S. 1; 21-196, S. 30.)
History: P.A. 76-331 rephrased Subdiv. (d) and added provision re transfer or discharge of private patient and added Subdiv. (o) re availability of inspection reports; P.A. 79-265 specified that 30 days' notice is applicable to involuntary transfers or discharges and required notification of personal physician if discharge plan prepared by nursing home medical director under Subdiv. (d); P.A. 79-378 changed alphabetic Subdiv. indicators to numeric indicators and added Subsec. (b) re nursing homes liability if patient not notified of rights and benefits; P.A. 80-80 added Subdiv. (16) in Subsec. (a) re patient-run resident council; P.A. 80-120 added Subdiv. (17) re medical opinions concerning surgery; Sec. 19-622 transferred to Sec. 19a-550 in 1983; P.A. 86-11 applied provisions to chronic disease patients and defined “chronic disease hospital”; P.A. 89-348 inserted new Subsec. (a) defining “nursing home facility” and “chronic disease hospital”, relettered the remaining Subsecs., amended Subsec. (b) to expand patients' rights and added Subdivs. (18) to (28) re patients' rights and added a new Subsec. (d) re the management of funds; P.A. 92-231 amended Subsec. (b) by requiring implementation of bill of rights in accordance with Sections 1919(c)(2), 1919(c)(2)(D) and 1919(c)(2)(E) of the Social Security Act and providing that a patient who is a Medicaid recipient may be transferred from a private to a nonprivate room unless such transfer would present imminent danger of death; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department on aging, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-327 amended Subsec. (b) to replace imminent danger of death standard with new Subdivs. (A) re reasonable likelihood of serious physical harm and (B) re exacerbation of psychiatric problems and to provide notice of transfer no more than 60 days prior to transfer; P.A. 93-381 replaced department of health services with department of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 96-81 amended Subsec. (a) to define “medically contraindicated”, amended Subsec. (b)(4) to specify applicability to patients “in a home for the aged or a chronic disease hospital” and added Subsecs. (c) and (d) re the establishment of a consultative process, conditions for nonconsensual transfers and emergency transfers, relettering Subsecs. (c) and (d) as (e) and (f) (Revisor's note: The Revisors editorially (1) substituted the word “and” for a comma in Subsec. (c) in the phrase “… a registered nurse with responsibility for the patient and other appropriate staff …”, (2) deleted the word “such” in Subsec. (c)(E) in the phrase “… at least thirty days' notice shall …”, and (3) substituted the word “and” for a comma in Subsec. (d)(2) in the phrase “… a registered nurse with responsibility for the patient and other appropriate staff …”); P.A. 97-112 replaced “home for the aged” with “residential care home”; P.A. 01-195 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) to (d) and (f), effective July 11, 2001; P.A. 02-105 amended Subsec. (b)(4)(B) by adding that notice of involuntary transfer may be given to a person designated by patient in accordance with Sec. 1-56r, amended Subsec. (b)(15) by adding that patient is assured of private visits with such a designated person and that if patient is married and both patient and spouse are inmates they are permitted to share a room unless medically contraindicated, amended Subsec. (b)(19) by adding that such designated person may meet in the facility with the families of other patients, amended Subsec. (c) by adding that if patient does not consent to a transfer initiated by the facility the consultation process may include such a designated person, amended Subsec. (d) by adding that in the case of the transfer of a Medicaid recipient from a private to a nonprivate room, notice may be given to such a designated person, and by adding that the consultative process may include such a designated person; P.A. 04-158 amended Subsec. (b) to reference Sections 1919(b) and 1919(c) of the Social Security Act re implementation of the patients' bill of rights, amended Subsec. (b)(5) re “right to be fully informed about patients' rights by state or federally funded patient advocacy programs”, amended Subsec. (b)(10) to substitute “receives quality care and services” for “receives services”, and amended Subsec. (b)(21) to add “developed in accordance with Section 1919(b)(2) of the Social Security Act” re a written plan of care; P.A. 09-168 amended Subsec. (b)(27) by deleting reference to individual entitled to medical assistance, deleting reference to any amount required to be paid under Medicaid and adding “third-party guarantee” and amended Subsec. (e) by adding provision re rights or benefits not subject to reduction, rescission or abrogation by contract; P.A. 13-208 amended Subsec. (a) by adding new Subpara. (B) re definition of “residential care home” and redesignating existing Subpara. (B) as Subpara. (C), amended Subsec. (b) by adding references to residential care home and chronic disease hospital, making technical and conforming changes and, in Subdiv. (22), adding reference to Sec. 19a-535a, amended Subsecs. (c) and (d) by making technical changes, and amended Subsec. (e) by adding reference to residential care home and chronic disease hospital and making a conforming change, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 14-122 made technical changes in Subsec. (a); P.A. 15-50 amended Subsec. (b) to add new Subdiv. (26) re receipt of copies of Medicare or Medicaid applications completed by facilities on behalf of patients and to redesignate existing Subdivs. (26) to (28) as Subdivs. (27) to (29), effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 16-39 amended Subsecs. (a), (b), (c) and (d) by adding references to advanced practice registered nurse; P.A. 21-55 amended Subsec. (b) by adding new Subdiv. (1) re living quarters and technology rights, redesignating existing Subdivs. (1) to (4) as Subdivs. (2) to (5), redesignating existing Subdiv. (5) as Subdiv. (6) and amending same to add Subpara. (A) designator, delete provision re voicing grievances and recommending policy and service changes, add Subpara. (B) re presenting grievances and recommending policy, procedure and service changes and add Subpara. (C) re access to representatives of Department of Public Health or Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, redesignating Subdivs. (6) to (11) as Subdivs. (7) to (12), redesignating existing Subdiv. (12) as Subdiv. (13) and amending same to delete provision re associating and communicating privately and add Subpara. designators (A) and (B), and redesignating existing Subdivs. (13) to (29) as Subdivs. (14) to (30), effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 21-196 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) by adding references to physician assistant.

Structure Connecticut General Statutes