Bridging Care Individual rights

As an individual receiving services from Bridging Care, you have the right to:

Be treated with respect and dignity regardless of race, gender, veteran status, religion, marital status, national origin, physical disabilities, mental disabilities, age, sexual orientation, or ancestry.

  1. Be treated in a manner that respects individual identity, human dignity and fosters constructive self-esteem.

  2. Receive age and culturally appropriate services.

  3. Be free of abuse, including being deprived of food, clothes, or other basic necessities.

  4. Practice the religion of choice as long as the practice does not infringe on the rights and treatment of others or the treatment service.

  5. Refuse participation in any religious practice.

  6. Be reasonably accommodated in case of sensory or physical disability, limited ability to communicate, limited-English proficiency, and cultural differences, including access to a certified interpreter and translated material at no cost to you.

  7. Receive services in a barrier free location (accessible).

  8. Be free of any sexual harassment.

  9. Be treated with privacy, except that staff may conduct reasonable searches to detect and prevent possession or use of contraband on the premises or to address risk of harm to the individual or others.

"Reasonable" is defined as minimally invasive searches to detect contraband or invasive searches only upon the initial intake process or if there is reasonable suspicion of possession of contraband or the presence of other risk that could be used to cause harm to self or others.

  1. Be free of exploitation, including physical and financial exploitation.

  2. Be free from any form of restraint or seclusion used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation.

  3. Choose a qualified behavioral health service provider when available and medically necessary.

  4. Exercise rights regarding your personal, clinical and health information in accord with state and federal confidentiality regulations. Including:

    • Treatment and personal information when communicating with individuals not associated or listed in the individual service plan or confidentiality disclosure form;

    • Residents receiving substance use disorder service in accordance with 42 C.F.R., Part II.

  5. Receive all information regarding your behavioral health status and treatment options, including alternative or self-administered treatment (including the option of no treatment).

  6. Participate in decisions regarding your behavioral healthcare, including the right to refuse treatment, and to express preferences about future treatment decisions.

  7. Participate in the development of your individual service plan and receive a copy of the plan if desired.

  8. Make a mental health advance directive consistent with chapter 71.32 RCW;

  9. Review or have their personal representative, designee, or parent or guardian review the individual's files in accordance with chapter 70.02 RCW

  10. Right to review your clinical record in the presence of the Director of Care or designee and be given an opportunity to request amendments or corrections.

  11. Right to receive a copy of your record and be informed of any costs associated with it.

  12. Be free to exercise your rights and to ensure that to do so does not adversely affect the way you are treated.

  13. Be informed if any treatment cost and access any necessary supplemental accommodation services including, but not limited to:

    • Arranging for or providing help to complete and submit forms to the agency;

    • Helping people give or get the information the agency needs to decide or continue eligibility;

    • Helping to request continuing benefits;

    • Explaining the reduction in or ending of benefits;

  14. Receive a copy of Bridging Care’s Individual Complaints and Grievances Policy and Procedures.

  15. Receive information about the structure and operation of the agency and how behavioral health services are provided and delivered.

  16. Access information, referral, and advocacy services from Behavioral Health and Recovery Division (BHRD) Client Assistance Services, MCOs and DOH.

  17. Submit a report to the King County, DOH or MCO/Medicaid when you feel the agency has violated a WAC requirement regulating behavioral health agencies. The contact information for all of these regulators are in the Individual Complaint and Grievance Process given to you upon admission and can be given anytime upon request. You may receive support with;

    • Accessing assistance from an independent Ombuds service.

    • Receiving assistance during the resolution process.

    • Filing an appeal in the event of an adverse action and receive assistance during the resolution process.

  1. Provided behavioral health program information upon admission that includes:

    1. All rights, treatment methods, and rules applicable to the proposed treatment services of the individual,

    2. The name, address, and telephone number of the Department of Health,

    3. How to file a complaint with the Department of Health without interference, discrimination, reprisal, or facility knowledge,

    4. Applicable emergency interventions and restriction of rights and confidentiality parameters.

*As adapted from 42 CFR part II, King County Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization (BH-ASO), WAC 246-341-0600, WAC 182-538-180, RCW chapters 71.05, 71.12 and 71.12.