§ 20-6-309 — Voluntary signing

(a) The signing of a physician order for life-sustaining treatment form by a patient or legal representative of the patient is voluntary. (b) (1) A person or entity, including without limitation a healthcare provider, healthcare facility, employer, or health insurance carrier, shall not require an individual to execute a physician order for life-sustaining treatment form as a condition of being insured for, or receiving, healthcare services. (2) If a healthcare provider or healthcare facility complies with subdivision (b)(1) of this section, the healthcare provider or healthcare facility may have a policy to offer a physician order for life-sustaining treatment form to appropriate individuals as part of a conversation about: (A) Goals of care; (B) Personal values and preferences; (C) Benefits of various treatment options; and (D) Avoidance of unwanted burden. (c) This subchapter does not: (1) Create a presumption concerning the intention of an individual who has not executed a physician order for life-sustaining treatment form with respect to the use, withholding, or withdrawal of life-sustaining procedures in the event of a terminal condition; or (2) Affect the right of an individual to make decisions regarding the use of life-sustaining procedures as long as the individual has the capacity to make a decision.

Legislative History

Added by Act 2017, No. 504,§ 1, eff. 8/1/2017.