Recipient Rights
You Have Rights
When you receive mental health services and/or substance use services, Michigan’s Mental Health Code and other laws safeguard your rights. Wellvance staff are responsible to protect your rights when they provide services to you. You are encouraged to ask questions about your treatment and about your rights to make suggestions that you feel are in your best interest.
The Mental Health Code ensures that all Community Mental Health Organizations have an Office of Recipient Rights where a complaint can be filed and investigated when someone believes that their rights have been violated. If you believe your rights have been violated, you should inform a Rights Officer/Advisor.
Your Rights
Your rights specific to mental health services are identified in the Michigan Mental Health Code, the law that governs the delivery of public mental health and developmental disability services in Michigan. Some of your rights include:
- the right to be free from abuse and neglect
- the right to confidentiality (privacy)
- the right to be treated with dignity and respect
- the right to services that meet your needs
You have many other rights specific to your mental health services. More information about your rights is contained in the booklet titled “Your Rights when Receiving Mental Health Services in Michigan.” You will receive this booklet, and have your rights explained to you, when you first start services, and then once every year. You may ask for this booklet, or ask questions about your rights, at any time.
How Do I File A Complaint?
If you believe that any right has been violated, you or someone on your behalf should file a recipient rights complaint. You may contact Wellvance's Office of Recipient Rights by telephone, letter, fax, or on a Recipient Rights Complaint Form. If you need help filing a rights complaint or you want to talk about a situation, call the Office of Recipient Rights.
Your complain needs to contain:
• A statement telling the Rights Office what you are complaining about;
• What right(s) you think have been violated;
• What you think will resolve the complaint.
If you want help writing your complaint, a Wellvance staff member or the Recipient Rights Office will assist you.
What Happens When I File A Complaint?
When someone has a complaint, the complaint will be reviewed to determine if the issue is about a rights complaint, about services that are being received or have been denied, suspended, or terminated (an appeal), or about another concern that is not a rights issue (a grievance). This will ensure that the concern is directed to the correct Wellvance department for review.
A letter to let you know we received your complaint will be mailed to you within 5 business days from the date we received the complaint. The letter will let you know what will happen with your complaint.
The Rights Office may intervene on your behalf or conduct an investigation. During an investigation, the Rights Officer will talk with the person who filed the complaint, the recipient whose rights were allegedly violated, and anyone else who might have information about the alleged violation. The Rights Officer will also review clinical records.
Within 90 days the investigation will be completed and the complainant (person who filed the complaint), the recipient whose rights were allegedly violated, and the recipient’s guardian (if applicable) will receive a letter with information on the outcome of the investigation and information on how to appeal the determination of the rights office.
Contact Information
Wellvance Recipient Rights Officer
1199 W. Harris Avenue
P.O. Box 310
Tawas City, MI 48764
Phone: 989-362-0727
Toll-Free: 1-800-763-9518
Fax: 989-362-6652
Email: recipient.rights@wellvance.org
Additional Resources