Client Rights

As a Frontier Behavioral Health consumer, you have the right to:

Be treated with respect, dignity and privacy, except that staff may conduct reasonable searches to detect and prevent possession or use of contraband on the premises;
Receive services without regard to race, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability;
Participate in the development of a “plan of care” and services which meet your unique needs;
Have access to the services of a certified language or sign language interpreter at no cost to you and written materials and alternate format to accommodate disability consistent with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act;
Refuse treatment and be informed of possible consequences, consistent with the requirements in the Involuntary Treatment Acts, chapters 71.05 and 71.34 RCW;
Practice the religion of choice as long as the practice does not infringe on the rights and treatment of others or the treatment service. Individual participants have the right to refuse participation in any religious practice;
Be reasonably accommodated in case of sensory or physical disability, limited ability to communicate, limited English proficiency, and cultural differences;
Be free of any sexual harassment and free of exploitation, including physical and financial exploitation;
Have all clinical and personal information treated in accordance with state and federal confidentiality regulations;
Receive a copy of your FBH clinical record and review your clinical record in the presence of the administrator or designees and be given an opportunity to request amendments or corrections;
Receive a copy of the FBH grievance system procedures upon request and to file a grievance with FBH, or the behavioral health organization (BHO), if applicable, if you believe your rights have been violated;
Submit a report to the department when you feel Frontier Behavioral Health has violated a WAC requirement regulating behavioral health agencies;
Have a prescriber or nurse explain all medications that are prescribed for you at Frontier Behavioral Health, and what the expected effect and possible side effects might be;
Make an advance directive stating your choices and preferences regarding your physical and mental health treatment if you are unable to make informed decisions;
Receive a copy of FBH’s Notice of Privacy Practices when requested.

In addition, if you are Medicaid eligible, you have the right to:

Receive age and culturally appropriate services;
Receive information you request and help in the language or format of your choice;
Have available treatment options and alternatives explained to you;
Receive services in a barrier-free (accessible) location;
Receive care that does not discriminate against you;
Receive emergency or urgent care or crisis services;
Receive post-stabilization services after you receive emergency or urgent care or crisis services that result in admission to a hospital;
Choose a participating behavioral health care provider or change your provider at any time for any reason in accordance with the approved Medicaid waiver, or any successor;
Receive all services which are medically necessary to meet your care needs;
Receive medically necessary services in accordance with early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment (EPSDT) under WAC 182-534-0100, if you are 20 years of age or younger;
Receive a second opinion from a qualified professional within your BHO area at no cost, or to have one arranged outside the network at no cost to you, as provided under 42 CFR Section 438.206(b)(3);
Receive medically necessary behavioral health services outside of the BHO if those services cannot be provided adequately and within a timely manner within the BHO;
Be free from retaliation;
Receive the name, address, telephone number, and any languages offered other than English, of behavioral health providers in your BHO;
Receive information about the structure and operation of the BHO;
Request and receive policies and procedures of the BHO and your behavioral health provider as they relate to your rights;
Be free from seclusion or restraint used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation;
Receive a notice of adverse benefit determination so that you may appeal any decision by the BHO that denies or limits authorization of a requested service, that reduces, suspends, or terminates a previously authorized service, or that denies payment for a service, in whole or in part;
File an appeal if the BHO fails to provide services in a timely manner as defined by the state;
Request an administrative (fair) hearing if your appeal is not resolved in your favor or if the BHO does not act within the grievance or appeal process time frames in WAC 182-538D-0660;
Request services by the Behavioral Health Ombuds office to help you file a grievance or appeal or request an administrative hearing.