Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-79.12 - Advance directives

"Advance directive" means a written instruction, such as a living will or durable power of attorney for health care, recognized under state law and related to the provision of health care when the person is incapacitated. All hospitals, home health agencies, home health providers of waiver services, hospice programs, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) participating in Medicaid shall establish policies and procedures with respect to all adults receiving medical care through the provider or organization to comply with state law regarding advance directives as follows:

(1) A hospital at the time of a person's admission as an inpatient, a home health care provider in advance of a person's coming under the care of the provider, a hospice provider at the time of initial receipt of hospice care by a person, and a health maintenance organization at the time of enrollment of the person with the organization shall provide written information to each adult which explains the person's rights under state law to make decisions concerning medical care, including the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment and the right to formulate advance directives, and the provider's policies regarding the implementation of these rights.

(2) The provider or organization shall document in the person's medical record whether or not the person has executed an advance directive.

(3) The provider or organization shall not condition the provision of care or otherwise discriminate against a person based on whether or not the person has executed an advance directive.

(4) The provider or organization shall ensure compliance with requirements of state law regarding advance directives.

(5) The provider or organization shall provide for education for staff and the community on issues concerning advance directives.

Nothing in this rule shall be construed to prohibit the application of a state law which allows for an objection on the basis of conscience for any provider or organization which as a matter of conscience cannot implement an advance directive.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 249A.4.

Notes

Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-79.12