Introduction: The term "client" means
anyone who is:
-
receiving services for mental illness, a developmental
disability, or substance abuse
-
receiving protective services or is protectively
placed under Ch. 55, Wis. Stats.
in the state of Wisconsin.
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Individuals receiving the
services noted above retain all their rights, no matter what
setting they are in.
-
Some rights, however, are
more applicable to inpatient (residential) settings – such as the
rights to make phone calls and see visitors.
These rights apply to all
residential settings, regardless of who operates them or who pays for
the services the individual receives.
-
"Outpatients" (individuals receiving
services while living in their own homes, for instance) presumably can
make phone calls or see visitors whenever they want.
Anyone receiving such services has "patient
rights" guaranteed to them under Wisconsin laws and rules. To see the
actual laws and rules, go to:
For more information about these client rights, see Introduction
to Client Rights.
Individuals other than those receiving services
for mental illness, a developmental disability or substance abuse also
have rights.
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For more information, see Nursing
Homes and Health Care.
-
If your concern is about rights of patients
receiving health care services from a hospital, you are encouraged
to contact the hospital in question for more information.
See Wisconsin
Health Care Providers for information on filing complaints against
hospitals.
Certain rights for inpatients may be limited or denied
for treatment, management or security reasons. See the Client
Rights Limitation or Denial process for further information.
In addition, individuals receiving the services noted
above have the right to have their treatment information kept
confidential. See Confidentiality of Treatment
Records for more information about that topic.
Other topics related to client rights:
The rights and/or the grievance procedure to follow to
ensure those rights may vary, depending on the treatment provider. The
following sites are specific to those treatment settings:
All other treatment providers:
The Community Grievance Decision
Digest contains summaries of relevant laws and decisions made via the
State Grievance Examiner in the Client Rights Office and the Administrator
of the Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
Forms, publications and posters
related to client rights are available. There is also information on
non-Wisconsin residents who are emergency detained.
If you have a complaint or concern about the rights of an
individual receiving services for mental illness, developmental
disabilities or substance abuse, you should contact the service provider
directly.
- Each such provider is required to have a Client Rights Specialist
(CRS) who responds to such complaints and concerns.
If the service provider does not have a CRS, contact the county where
the service provider operates. If there is no county involvement with the
service provider, contact the State Grievance Examiner in the Client
Rights Office for more information.
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Last Updated: September 03, 2008
