CALIFORNIA - Pacificare Health Systems

Section 10 – Advance Directives: Making Your
Health Care Wishes Known
PacifiCare is required by law to inform you of
your right to make health care decisions and
to execute an Advance Directive. An Advance
Directive is a formal document, written by
you in advance of an incapacitating illness or
injury. As long as you can speak for yourself,
Contracting Medical Providers will honor your
wishes. If you become so sick you cannot
speak for yourself, this directive will guide
your health care Providers in treating you and
will save your family, friends and physicians
from having to guess what you would have
wanted.
There may be several types of Advance
Directives you can choose from, depending
on state law. Most states recognize:
1. DPAHC (Durable Power of Attorney for
Health Care)/Medical Durable Power of
Attorney
2. Health Care Directive
3. Living Wills
4. Natural Death Act Declarations
5. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Directive
6. Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders
You are not required to initiate an Advance
Directive, and you will not be denied care if
you do not have an Advance Directive.
It is necessary for you to provide copies
of your completed directive to all of the
following:
1. your Primary Care Physician
2. your agent or representative (if you have
one)
3. your family
If you decide that you want to have an
Advance Directive, there are several ways to
get this type of legal form. You can get a form
from your lawyer, from a social worker, the
Internet and from some office supply stores.
Be sure to keep a copy with you and
take a copy to the Hospital when you are
hospitalized for medical care. If you have
questions regarding Advance Directives or
end of life treatment decisions, please contact
California Health Insurance Counseling and
Advocacy Program at 1-800-434-0222. You
may also file a complaint with the California
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy
Program at 1-800-434-0222 if you believe your
rights related to the creation and use of an
Advance Directive have not been respected.
Questions? Call the Customer Service Department at 1-800-228-2144,
(TDHI) 1-800-685-9355, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
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