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The staff of the medical center recognizes that patients have rights. Listed below are those rights you may expect while a patient here.
You have the right to:
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Considerate and dignified care that respects your personal value and belief systems regardless of race, sex, national origin, age or sources of payment for care.
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Prompt and appropriate care in the least restrictive environment for that treatment.
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Participate in decisions regarding your care.
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Participate in consideration of ethical issues that arise in the provision of your care.
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Receive information necessary to give informed consent in terms you can understand prior to the start of any procedure or treatment, including significant alternatives and the identity of persons responsible for treatment.
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Maximum possible privacy.
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Have all medical and personal information treated as confidential unless you consent to its release, or disclosure is required or permitted by law.
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Designate a representative to make medical decisions on your behalf in the event that you are incapable of understanding a proposed treatment or procedure or are unable to communicate your wishes regarding care.
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Formulate advance directives. VA approves and promotes the right of patients to make healthcare decisions and to express their healthcare wishes through advance directives initiated or provided by the patient at admission, such as a living will or a durable power of attorney for health care.
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Obtain complete and current information in understandable terms concerning your diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
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Refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the medical consequences of such refusal.
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Know if the hospital plans to engage in any experimentation affecting you or your treatment and the right to refuse to participate in such research.
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Expect reasonable continuity of care, to know in advance what appointment times and physicians are available, and to know what is necessary for continuing care after your discharge.
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Communicate freely and privately with persons outside the facility and to have or refuse visitors.
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Wear your own clothes and keep personal possessions barring any medical or safety related factor.
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Express a complaint to VA authorities or other federal or state authorities or contact the Office of Patient Advocate and receive prompt attention to matters of concern.
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Ask for a meeting of the Ethics Advisory Committee if you have any questions on your care.
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Clinical decisions including tests, treatments, and other interventions are based on identified patient health care needs. Under no circumstances are clinical healthcare decisions used to provide practitioner incentives, pharmaceutical incentives, research incentives, or any other incentives for the medical center, or any of it's employees.
Patient Eligibility
Before receiving services with G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Medical Center, you should first determine your eligibility. Use our eligibility page to make an application for health care benefits.
Schedule an Appointment
Eligible veterans should contact the VA Medical Center to schedule an appointment with a primary care provider. Getting an appointment can be done in a number of ways. Click here for more information.
Change or Cancel an Appointment
If you have an existing appointment and cannot keep it, let us help you change it. This way, we will be able to see another veteran during that time period. Let us help you reschedule or cancel your appointment.
During Your Stay
Advance Directives
There may come a time when you are unable to decide or tell us what you want. You have the opportunity now to make some decisions ahead of time. Tell us in writing about the kind of care you want if you cannot speak for yourself.
Patient Education
We want to assist you in learning more about your condition, how to live a healthly lifestyle, and ways to self-manage your own health. A number of educational resources are available to you at no cost. Stop by Library Services for additonal assistance.
Customer Service
A number of programs have been established at this Medical Center to assist you in the event you have a concern or complaint. Let us help you resolve your issue.
After You Leave
Discharge Process
Now that you've been a patient, you may have some concerns after you leave. Let us help you on the path to recovery.
Billing and Insurance
You may be billed for a number of copayments as a result of your stay or appointment. We can also file claims with your insurance. For billing assistance please see our Utilization and Review Coordinator before you leave or call at 601-362-4471 or 1-800-802-6381. For more information on patient billing click here.
Release of Information
Medical information will be released upon receipt of your written request and consent. If you wish any medical information released, please contact the unit clerk located at the nursing station or a Release of Information Clerk at extension 1566.
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