When should the Notice be given to the patient?

The Notice should be given to the patient at the first service visit to Houston Methodist because this timing ensures that patients receive important information about their rights and the services offered right from the outset of their care. Providing the Notice at the first service visit allows patients to understand their options and what to expect, facilitating informed decision-making about their healthcare.

Offering the Notice upon admission to the hospital focuses specifically on inpatient services, which might exclude important information that could be relevant to patients visiting for outpatient services or initial consultations. Requiring a patient to request the Notice limits accessibility and may prevent them from fully understanding their rights without initiating that request. Waiting until the first follow-up appointment delays critical information that could be beneficial during the initial stages of patient interaction, potentially hampering the patient’s ability to make informed decisions about their treatment plan early on.