Nivano Physicians, Inc.
Effective Date: August 7, 2025
Last Updated: March 12, 2026
Version: 2.0
Overview
Nivano Physicians is committed to providing high-quality healthcare while respecting the rights and dignity of every patient. This document describes your rights as a patient and your responsibilities in the care process, in accordance with federal and California state law.
Regulatory Framework
| Authority | Coverage |
|---|---|
| ACA Patient’s Bill of Rights | Federal baseline patient rights |
| No Surprises Act (effective January 1, 2022) | Surprise billing protections and Good Faith Estimates |
| HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules | Health information privacy and security |
| California Patient Bill of Rights (Title 22, CCR § 70707) | State-level patient protections |
| California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA) | Enhanced state privacy protections |
| Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) | Emergency care rights |
| Medicare Conditions of Participation | Medicare patient rights |
| ACA Section 1557 | Non-discrimination in federally funded healthcare |
Your Rights as a Patient
Right to Quality Care
You have the right to receive safe, effective healthcare that meets professional standards, to be treated with respect, dignity, and compassion regardless of your background, to receive care that considers your individual needs and preferences, to be informed of your condition and treatment options in terms you can understand, and to participate in decisions about your care.
You have the right to appropriate assessment and management of your pain, including information about pain relief options, access to pain management specialists when appropriate, and respect for your reports of pain.
Right to Information and Communication
You have the right to receive complete information about your diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis, to understand the risks and benefits of proposed treatments, to know about alternatives that may be available, to have adequate time to make healthcare decisions, and to give or withhold informed consent.
You have the right to access your medical records within 15 days under California law, to request copies and amendments, to receive an accounting of how your information has been shared, and to request restrictions on certain uses of your health information.
You have the right to interpreter services at no cost if English is not your primary language, to materials in accessible formats if you have a disability, and to clear explanations of medical terms and procedures.
Right to Privacy and Confidentiality
You have the right to privacy and confidentiality of your health information as described in our HIPAA Privacy Policy and Notice of Privacy Practices. You have the right to request restrictions on use and disclosure of your information, to request confidential communications through alternative means or locations, and to file privacy complaints without retaliation.
You have the right to choose who may visit you during your care, to privacy during examinations and treatment, and to private conversations with your healthcare providers.
Right to Participate in Care Decisions
You have the right to participate actively in decisions about your care, to accept or refuse treatment (with certain legal exceptions), to seek a second opinion, to change healthcare providers within your plan’s network, and to request specific providers when possible.
You have the right to create advance directives including living wills and healthcare powers of attorney, to have your advance directives honored, and to designate a healthcare proxy to make decisions if you are unable to do so.
Right to Fair Treatment and Non-Discrimination
You have the right to receive care without discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. You have the right to reasonable accommodations for disabilities, culturally competent care that respects your beliefs and values, and fair access to services based on medical need.
Under ACA Section 1557, you have the right to language assistance services and auxiliary aids at no cost, to file discrimination complaints with appropriate agencies, and to receive services without discrimination based on sex, including gender identity.
Right to Financial Information and Protection
Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of expected costs for scheduled services at least three business days before your appointment, to protection from surprise billing for out-of-network emergency services, and to access Patient-Provider Dispute Resolution if you receive a bill substantially higher than your Good Faith Estimate.
You have the right to understand your financial responsibility before receiving services, to receive itemized bills, to request payment plans or financial assistance when available, and to appeal insurance coverage decisions through your plan’s process.
Right to Continuity of Care
You have the right to continuity of care when medically appropriate, to reasonable notice of changes in providers or services, to assistance with transitions to new providers when necessary, and to access urgent and emergency care when needed. You have the right to coordinated care among your healthcare team, referrals to specialists when medically necessary, and appropriate discharge planning.
Right to Voice Concerns and File Complaints
You have the right to file complaints about your care or services without fear of retaliation and to receive a prompt response. You have the right to appeal adverse benefit determinations and to seek external review through state regulatory agencies. See our Grievance & Appeals Process for complete information.
Special Protections
Emergency Care
In emergency situations, you have the right to receive a medical screening examination and stabilizing treatment regardless of your ability to pay, and to appropriate transfer to another facility if necessary, under EMTALA.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
You have additional confidentiality rights for mental health and substance abuse records under California law and 42 C.F.R. Part 2. Disclosure of these records requires specific consent beyond standard HIPAA authorization. You have the right to access mental health services as covered by your insurance and to protection from discrimination based on mental health status.
Reproductive Health Rights
Under California law, minors have rights to certain confidential reproductive health services. All patients have the right to access family planning services and information and to privacy protections for reproductive health information.
Your Responsibilities as a Patient
Effective healthcare is a partnership. As a patient, you share responsibility for outcomes by meeting the following obligations.
Providing accurate information. You are responsible for providing complete and accurate information about your health, medical history, medications, symptoms, and insurance. Inform providers promptly of any changes in your condition or circumstances.
Following your treatment plan. You are responsible for following prescribed treatment plans to the best of your ability, taking medications as directed, keeping scheduled appointments or providing adequate notice of cancellations, and following pre- and post-procedure instructions.
Asking questions. You are responsible for asking questions when you do not understand information provided, expressing concerns about your care, and communicating pain levels and symptoms accurately.
Treating others with respect. You are responsible for treating healthcare providers and staff with courtesy, following facility policies, and respecting the rights and privacy of other patients.
Meeting financial obligations. You are responsible for understanding your insurance coverage, paying applicable copayments and deductibles, maintaining current insurance information, and discussing financial concerns with appropriate staff before services are provided when possible.
Being truthful. You are responsible for being honest in all communications with healthcare providers, not misrepresenting symptoms or medical history, and reporting suspected fraud or unethical behavior.
Contact Information
Patient Relations and Member Services
Phone: (916) 407-2000
Toll Free: (844) 889-2273
Email: customerservice@nivanophysicians.com
Quality and Grievances
Email: quality@nivanophysicians.com
Phone: (916) 407-2000, ext. 83000
External Resources
| Resource | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| California Department of Public Health | cdph.ca.gov | (916) 558-1784 |
| Department of Managed Health Care | dmhc.ca.gov | 1-888-466-2219 |
| Medicare | medicare.gov | 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) |
| DHCS Medi-Cal Ombudsman | MMCDOmbudsmanOffice@dhcs.ca.gov | 1-888-452-8609 |
Policy Review
This document is reviewed annually and updated to reflect changes in federal and California patient rights requirements. The next scheduled review is August 7, 2027.
This document was last updated on March 12, 2026.