Compliance & Regulatory

As an individual receiving services at AMHA, you have the following rights: 

• The right to reasonable access to care, treatment and services regardless of race, spiritual beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, social economic status, language or disability.
• The right to personal dignity.
• The right to care, treatment, and services that are considerate and respectful of the personal values and beliefs of the individual served.
• The right to be informed of the program rules.
• The right to informed participation in decisions regarding care, treatment, and services.
• The right to participate in care, and service planning in keeping with the wishes of the individual served and the right to information important in a timely manner to help in decision-making. 
• This right is applied to children and youth as appropriate to their age, maturity and clinical condition and the right of the family of individuals served, with the client’s consent to participate in such planning. (Psychiatric Advance Directives, Living Will, or Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare)
• The right to individualized care, treatment, and services, including that, is responsive to each individual's unique characteristics, strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences including:
  • Adequate and humane services regardless of the sources of financial support;
  • Provision of services within the least restrictive environment possible;
  • An Individualized Recovery/Resiliency Plan or Treatment Plan;
  • Periodic review of the individualized treatment plan;
  • An adequate number of competent qualified and experienced staff to supervise and carry out the individualized service plan.

• The right to participate in the consideration of ethical issues that arise in the provision of care, treatment, and services, including:
  • Resolving conflict including an investigation of alleged infringements of rights and resolution;
  • Participating in investigational studies or clinical trials, including adherence to all guidelines and ethics.
• The right to personal privacy and confidentiality of protected health information under the Health

Insurance Portability and Accessibility Act (HIPAA) that include:

• • The right to receive Notice of Privacy Practices;
  • The right to access clinical records;
  • The right to request amendment of clinical records;
  • The right to request restriction on communications;
  • The right to request confidential communications;
  • The right to accounting of disclosures;
  • The right to file a complaint with AMHA without fear of retaliation or any change in the services you receive from us as a result of your complaint.
  • The right to appeal the outcome of your complaint to the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. 
• The right to designate an agent to assist in decision-making if the individual served is incapable of understanding proposed care, treatment, and services or is unable to communicate his or her wishes regarding treatment, care, and services.

(Psychiatric Advance Directives)

• The right of individuals served and their families to be informed of their rights in a language that they understand. The right to refuse medication or care, treatment, and services to the extent permitted by law.
• The right to be free of neglect, verbal abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, financial or other exploitation, humiliation, retaliation, corporal punishment, fear, and /or denial of nutritionally adequate care and basic needs such as clothing, shelter, rest of sleep.
• The right to see the licensing report completed by the Department of Human Services.
• The right to the methods used to obtain authorization for services.
• The right to access referral or legal entities and to access self-help and advocacy and support services. 

As an individual receiving services at AMHA, you have the following responsibilities:

• Give us all the facts about the problems you want help with and bring a list of all other doctors providing care for you and tell us about any other problems you are getting treatment for.
• Follow your person-centered plan once you have agreed to it.
• Keep all appointments or call 24 hours before an appointment if you cannot come in.
• If you receive medicine from us, bring in your medicine bottles and all others you have from other doctors.
• If you have Medicaid or Medicare, bring in your card each time you come for an appointment
• Let us know about changes in your name, insurance, address, telephone number or your finances.
• Pay your bill or let us know about problems you have in paying.
• Treat staff and other consumers with respect and consideration.
• Follow the rules of the program where you receive services.
• Let us know when you have a suggestion, comment or complaint so we can help you find an answer to the problem.
• Respect the confidentiality and privacy of other consumers.
• Be very involved in developing and reviewing your person-centered plan.
• Ask for information about your problems.
• Talk to your case manager, counselor or doctor, and others on your planning team often about your needs, preferences and goals and how you think you are doing at meeting your goals.

If you have a complaint, feel that your rights have been violated, or have questions, you may contact the Quality Assurance Manager at (678) 335-9010.