Which of the following is not a patient's right?

• A. Informed consent
• B. Privacy
• C. Free care regardless of circumstances
• D. Right to refuse treatment

Answer: (C)

Patient rights protect a person’s autonomy and dignity in health care. You have the right to understand proposed treatments and to consent or refuse, which is informed consent. You also have a right that your health information remains confidential, which is privacy. And you have a right to decline any treatment, which is the right to refuse—your personal choice must be respected.

Free care regardless of circumstances isn’t a guaranteed right. Healthcare services are typically paid for through insurance, government programs, or other funding, and while there may be charity or assistance programs, the idea that all care must be provided free of charge to everyone isn’t a universal right. (In emergencies, some laws require treatment to stabilize a patient regardless of ability to pay, but that doesn’t establish free care for all services.)

So the statement that describes free care regardless of circumstances is not a patient right.