{"id":355835,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:14","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/healthcare\/patient-rights\/ten-things-to-think-about-choosing-a-physician.html"},"modified":"2026-08-13T09:47:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T14:47:00","slug":"ten-things-to-think-about-choosing-a-physician","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/healthcare\/patient-rights\/ten-things-to-think-about-choosing-a-physician.html","title":{"rendered":"Your Rights When Choosing a Doctor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Your Rights When Choosing a Doctor<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Melissa McCall, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Susan Mills Richmond, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n
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You have the right to choose a doctor who respects your beliefs, provides complete information about your care, and supports your ability to make informed decisions. Federal and state laws, along with medical\u2011ethics standards, protect key patient rights such as privacy, second opinions, and access to your medical records.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Choosing a physician is one of several patient rights and one of the most important decisions you can make. Though people have different doctors for different medical concerns, most have a primary care physician. Since doctors are intimately involved in our lives, we should exercise great care in choosing a health care provider.<\/p>\n

Getting a second medical opinion is another vital patient right<\/a>. You can get another opinion if you disagree with your current doctor’s opinion on a medical condition. While no one can guarantee that the second doctor’s opinion will differ from your doctor’s, a second opinion can offer peace of mind.<\/p>\n

This article explores patient rights, specifically the right to respectful care consistent with your beliefs and the right to a second medical opinion.<\/p>\n

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If you believe a provider has violated your patient rights, a health care attorney can help you understand your options and pursue a complaint. Find a lawyer near you<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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What Are Patient Rights?<\/h2>\n

Although we do not have a national patient bill of rights, the American Medical Association<\/a> has a model patient bill of rights. The AMA based its opinion on several principles of medical ethics that focus on the physician-patient relationship. The law is also a source of patient rights.<\/p>\n

Consider the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 2009 (HIPAA). Under HIPAA, you have the right to privacy<\/a> and the right to copies of your medical information or records. Although HIPAA alone is not part of a patient bill of rights, it does help form its foundation.<\/p>\n

Your patient rights include, but are not limited to, the following:<\/p>\n