Client Rights

NorthStar Behavioral Health is dedicated to safeguarding human, civil, and individual rights while delivering services in an environment that upholds dignity and respect. Every person served will be recognized as an individual with distinct needs, abilities, and qualities. Each client has the following specific rights and is also expected to uphold corresponding responsibilities.

Client Rights

1. The right to be treated with consideration and respect for personal dignity, autonomy, and privacy.
2. The right to reasonable protection from any form of abuse, including but not limited to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, inhumane treatment, or financial or any form of exploitation. Clients are protected from retaliation, humiliation, neglect, or any other form of inhumane treatment.
3. The right to receive services in the least restrictive, feasible environment.
4. The right to participate in any appropriate and available service or support that is consistent with an individualized treatment plan, regardless of the refusal of any other certified service or support, unless that certified service or support is a necessity for clear treatment reasons and involves the individual's participation.
5. The right to give informed consent, refuse, and/or withdraw consent regarding any service, release of information, concurrent services, composition of the service delivery team, treatment, or therapy, including medication absent an emergency.
6. The right to participate in the development, review, and revision of one’s own individualized treatment plan and receive a copy of it.
7. The right to freedom from unnecessary or excessive medication, and to be free from restraint or seclusion unless there is an immediate risk of physical harm to self or others.
8. The right to be advised and the right to refuse observation by others and by techniques such as one-way mirrors, tape recorders, video recorders, television, movies, photographs or other audio and visual technology. This right does not prohibit an agency from using closed-circuit monitoring to observe seclusion rooms or common areas, which does not include bathrooms or sleeping areas.
9. The right to be informed and the right to refuse any unusual or hazardous treatment procedures.
10. The right to confidentiality of communications and personal identifying information within the limitations and requirements for disclosure of client information under state and federal laws and regulations.For receiving residential or withdrawal management substance use disorder services, confidentiality means you have the right to send and receive mail without it being opened, read, or censored. However, NorthStar Behavioral Health can enforce the prohibition of dangerous items (contraband), if those rules do not conflict with federal postal laws.

11. The right to have access to one’s own client record unless access to certain information is restricted for clear treatment reasons. If access is restricted, the treatment plan shall include reasons for the restriction, a goal to remove the restriction, and the treatment being offered to remove the restriction.
12. The right to be informed a reasonable amount of time in advance of the reason for terminating participation in a service, and to be provided with a referral, unless the service is unavailable or not necessary.
13. The right to be informed of the reason for denial of certifiable service or support.
14. The right not to be discriminated against for receiving services on the basis of race ethnicity, age, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental handicap, developmental disability, genetic information, human immunodeficiency virus status, or in any manner prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.
15. The right to know the cost of certifiable services or supports.
16. The right to be verbally informed of all client rights, and to receive a written copy upon request.
17. The right to exercise one’s own rights without reprisal, except that no right extends so far as to supersede health and safety considerations.
18. The right to file a grievance, have said grievance investigated, and have the grievance resolved in the appropriate manner per the policy of NorthStar Behavioral Health.
19. The right to have oral and written instructions concerning the procedure for filing a grievance and assistance in filing a grievance if requested. For further assistance, contact Chris Fisher, Client Advocate, at 513-475-5300, Christopher.fisher@northstarbh.org, during normal business hours.
20. The Right to file a grievance with an outside agency.
21. The right to be informed of one’s own condition and receive pertinent information in sufficient time to facilitate informed decision-making.
22. The right to consult with an independent treatment specialist or legal counsel at one’s own expense.
23. The right to not be involved in any research project without informed consent.

Client Responsibilities

1. Respect the person, privacy, freedom, and property of others regardless of religion, race, color, creed, ethnicity, gender, national origin, age, lifestyle, economic status, physical or mental handicap, developmental disability.
2. Keep confidential all clinical information communicated to the patient personally or in groups.
3. Keep therapeutic appointments with physicians, therapists, or other professionals.
4. Ask questions, follow instructions, accept consequences, follow rules and regulations, show respect and consideration, and meet financial commitments.
5. Do not bring illicit or non-prescribed drugs, alcohol, weapons, or other hazardous materials into the treatment nor give or take illicit or non-prescribed drugs or alcohol while in treatment.
6. To be honest with information provided regarding past illnesses, treatment, hospitalizations, medications, and any other information pertinent to health.
7. Discuss differences of opinion concerning treatment with staff.
8. Be familiar with the facilities policy on patients’ rights and responsibilities and the code of conduct within the applicable treatment program.
9. Provide informed consent as required for certain types of treatment as deemed necessary by the treating physician.
10. Maintain responsibility for personal clothing and possessions, including personal care and grooming matters.
11. Communicate to staff any suggestions or perceived risks concerning the safe delivery of their care.