Healthcare Rights

Healthcare rights in the United States protect your ability to access care, control medical decisions, and keep your health information private while choosing coverage that fits your needs.

Your rights at the point of care

You have the right to informed consent, to accept or refuse treatment, and to plan ahead with advance directives such as DNR orders and living wills, and those same decision-making protections extend to teens and children in specific situations—learn more about medical rights for teens and kids.

Privacy, data, and special programs

Federal privacy rules limit who can see your records—see who can see your medical records (HIPAA privacy rights)—and those protections intersect with questions about genetic data and commercial testing, including whether DNA testing companies can sell your genetic data. If you believe you were harmed by a vaccine, federal compensation mechanisms like the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) explain options for relief.

Coverage, exemptions, and enforcement

Choosing and maintaining coverage involves understanding enrollment rules and appeals—review health insurance enrollment options—while certain sincere beliefs may qualify for religious medical exemptions. Federal agencies enforce these rights and provide appeals and complaint processes when providers or plans fail to comply.