Sec. 5655.
In addition to the requirements of section 5654, a physician who has diagnosed a patient as having a reduced life expectancy due to an advanced illness and is recommending medical treatment for the patient shall, both orally and in writing, inform the patient, the patient's patient surrogate, or, if the patient has designated a patient advocate and is unable to participate in medical treatment decisions, the patient advocate, of all of the following:
(a) If the patient has not designated a patient advocate, that the patient has the option of designating a patient advocate to make medical treatment decisions for the patient in the event the patient is not able to participate in his or her medical treatment decisions because of his or her medical condition.
(b) That the patient, or the patient's patient surrogate or patient advocate, acting on behalf of the patient, has the right to make an informed decision regarding receiving, continuing, discontinuing, and refusing medical treatment for the patient's reduced life expectancy due to advanced illness.
(c) That the patient, or the patient's patient surrogate or patient advocate, acting on behalf of the patient, may choose palliative care treatment including, but not limited to, hospice care and pain management.
(d) That the patient or the patient's surrogate or patient advocate acting on behalf of the patient may choose adequate and appropriate pain and symptom management as a basic and essential element of medical treatment.
History: Add. 1996, Act 594, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 2001, Act 239, Eff. Oct. 1, 2002
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 3 of Act 239 of 2001 provides:“Enacting section 3. The 2001 amendatory act that amended section 5655 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.5655, shall not be construed as creating a new mandated benefit for any coverages issued under the insurance code of 1956, 1956 PA 218, MCL 500.100 to 500.8302, the nonprofit health care corporation reform act, 1980 PA 350, MCL 550.1101 to 550.1704, or any other health care payment or benefits plan.”
Popular Name: Act 368