Rights and Responsibilities

Your membership rights

As a member of CareSource you have the following rights:

  • To be treated with respect and with regard for your dignity and privacy.
  • To be sure that your medical record information is kept private.
  • To say "yes" or "no" to having any information about you given out unless CareSource has to by law.
  • To be given information about your health. You can ask your PCP for your medical records. You can also ask CareSource for information.
  • To get information on any medical treatment option from your provider, whether or not it is covered by CareSource.
  • To get written materials in alternative formats if you have special needs.
  • To take part in decisions about your health care unless it is not in your best interest.
  • To be sure that others cannot hear or see you when you are getting medical care.
  • To get an interpreter if you do not speak or understand the language of your provider. You can have an interpreter with you during a medical exam. This is a free service.
  • To ask if CareSource has special payment arrangements with providers that could affect the services you may need or receive. Please call Member Services to get this information.
  • To say "no" to treatment or therapy to the extent allowed by law. If you refuse care, you are responsible for what could happen as a result.
  • To file a grievance (complaint) or appeal or to request a state hearing. To learn more, please click on Complaints.
  • To get medical care regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran's status, ancestry, health status or need for health services.

You can also contact CareSource to get more information about:

  • Our structure and operations
  • How we pay providers
  • How we work with other health care plans, if you have other coverage
  • Results of member surveys
  • How many members disenroll from CareSource

If you have any questions, please call Member Services at 1-800-390-7102 (TTY for the hearing impaired 1-800-649-3777 or 711).

Patient advocate law

You have the right to make advance directives. This is covered under Michigan's Patient Advocate Law. These are documents you sign in case you become seriously ill. They are used if you become unable to communicate because of your illness or injury. They let your doctor and others know your wishes concerning medical treatment. You sign them while you are still healthy and able to make such decisions.

In these documents you can:

  • Specify your wishes about future medical care.
  • Give someone you trust the right to make decisions for you. The person you name is called your patient advocate.
  • Or both. In this case, your patient advocate would agree to follow the wishes you have put in writing.

    CareSource does not put any limits on your right to do this under state law. To file a complaint about how CareSource follows your wishes, please write or call:

    Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation
    Health Plans Division
    611 West Ottawa, Third Floor
    P.O. Box 30220
    Lansing, MI 48909-7720
    1-877-999-6442 or www.michigan.gov/ofir

To file a complaint about how your provider follows your wishes, please write or call:

Bureau of Health Professions, Complaint and Allegation Division
P.O. Box 30670
Lansing, MI 48909-8170
(517) 373-9196 or bhpinfo@michigan.gov

To file a complaint through The Bureau of Health Professions complaint and allegation website go to
www.michigan.gov/healthlicense.

If you have any questions, please call Member Services at 1-800-390-7102 (TTY: 1-800-649-3777 or 711).

Member responsibilities

As a member of CareSource, you must be sure to:

  • Tell CareSource and your Department of Human Services caseworker of a change in:
    • Your phone number
    • Your address - This could affect your CareSource enrollment
    • The number of people in your family - This could happen when a baby is born or an older child moves out
  • Use only participating health care providers.
  • Always carry your ID cards and do not let anyone else use them.
  • Keep scheduled health care appointments. Be on time. If you have to cancel, call 24 hours in advance. If you have scheduled transportation, please cancel transportation, too.
  • Follow the advice and instructions for care you have agreed upon with your doctors.
  • Give CareSource and your providers the information we need to provide care for you.
  • Let us know if you or your children have any other health insurance.
  • Let us know if you see a doctor for an injury or illness caused by another person or business, such as a car accident or a fall in a store.
  • Understand as much as possible about your health issues. Take part in reaching goals that you and your providers agree upon. Let your providers know if you don't understand what they tell you.

If you have any questions, please call Member Services at 1-800-390-7102 (TTY for the hearing impaired: 1-800-649-3777 or 711).