As a Medicare Advantage plan provider contracted with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), ADVANTAGE Health Solutions has certain obligations regarding advance directives. Advance directives are written instructions, such as living wills or durable powers of attorney for health care, that explain the patient’s wishes concerning the provision of health care if the patient becomes incapacitated and unable to communicate those wishes. As a member, you have a right to be made aware of our obligations regarding advance directives.

ADVANTAGE Health Solutions must:

• Educate its staff and the community about its policies and procedures regarding advance directives;
• Document in a prominent part of the individual’s current medical record whether or not the individual has executed an advance directive;
• Ensure that it does not condition the provision of care or otherwise discriminate against an individual based on whether or not the individual has executed an advance directive;
• Provide the rights under state law in which ADVANTAGE furnishes services to make decisions concerning their medical care, including the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment and the right to formulate advance directives;
• ADVANTAGE must comply with all applicable state laws regarding advance directives.

Advance directives help make sure you have a say in your future health care and treatment should you become incapacitated and unable to communicate. Even if you do not have a written advance directive, it is important to discuss your health care wishes with your physician and immediate family members to ensure your wishes are honored. You have the right to file complaints you have concerning non-compliance with legal requirements pertaining to advance directives with the Indiana State Department of Health.

 Indiana State Department of Health Advance Directives