Rhode Island unlicensed health care client bill of rights.

(1) Katie Tougas, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner

7715 POST RD#498

  NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI 02852

    (2) Certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner 

“The state of Rhode Island has not adopted any educational and training standards for unlicensed health care practitioners. This statement of credentials is for information purposes only.

Under Rhode Island law, an unlicensed health care practitioner may not provide a medical diagnosis. If a client desires a diagnosis from a licensed physician, chiropractor, or acupuncture practitioner, or services from a physician, chiropractor, nurse, osteopath, physical therapist, dietician, nutritionist, acupuncture practitioner, athletic trainer, or any other type of health care provider, the client may seek such services at any time”;

(6) The practitioner’s fees per unit of service, the practitioner’s method of billing for the fees, the names of any insurance companies that agreed to reimburse the practitioner, or health maintenance organizations with whom the practitioner contracts to provide service, whether the practitioner accepts Medicare, medical assistance, or general assistance medical care, and whether the practitioner is willing to accept partial payment, or to waive payment, and in what circumstances;

(7) The client has a right to reasonable notice of changes in services or charges.

(8) The fundamental goal of Nutritional Therapy is to encourage people to become knowledgeable about—and responsible for—their own health. An NTP helps individuals reach their optimal level of overall health by supporting and bringing balance to the five foundations listed, Digestion, Blood Sugar Regulation, Fatty Acids, Mineral Balance, Hydration. All five are built upon a single, solid base: a properly prepared, nutrient dense diet. 

Nutritional Therapy does not  treat any specific disease or medical condition. A Nutritional Therapy Practitioner is trained to evaluate your nutritional needs and make recommendations of dietary change and nutritional supplements, not medical diagnoses or prescriptions. I do not diagnosis or prescribe. 

Reaching optimal health requires sincere commitment, possible lifestyle changes, and a positive attitude. If you are not willing to change how you eat and live, Nutritional Therapy is not the right approach for you. Since every human being is unique on a biochemical level, I cannot guarantee any specific result from my programs.

(9) The client has a right to complete and current information concerning the practitioner’s assessment and recommended service that is to be provided, including the expected duration of the service to be provided;

(10) Clients may expect to be free from verbal, physical, or sexual abuse by the practitioner;

(11) Client records and transactions with the practitioner are confidential, unless release of these records is authorized in writing by the client, or otherwise provided by law;

(12) Client has the right to be allowed access to records and written information from records in accordance with the provisions of this chapter;

(13) The client has the right to choose freely among available practitioners and to change practitioners after services have begun, within the limits of health insurance, medical assistance, or other health programs;

(14) The client has a right to a coordinated transfer when there will be a change in the provider of services;

(15) The client may refuse services or treatment, unless otherwise provided by law;

(16) The client may assert the client’s rights without retaliation.