Providers
Patients
FAQs
What is advance care planning?
Advance care planning is thinking about, and documenting, your preferences about the care and medical treatments that you want to receive if you become unable to speak for yourself. These choices are based on your values and what is important to you. Advance care planning includes choosing someone who will speak for you if you cannot speak for yourself. This person is called a health care agent. Advance care planning also includes documenting your care choices in advance of a health care emergency so that your doctors and those who matter most to you can honor your preferences if you are not able to speak for yourself.
What is the difference between advance care planning
and an advance directive?
and an advance directive?
Advance care planning is a process where you think about your values and preferences and then document those preferences in a completed advance care plan (sometimes called an advance directive). There are two parts to an advance care plan: 1) selecting and naming your health care agent(s); and 2) documenting your preferences for care and medical treatments.
What is the benefit of creating an online advance care plan through Voice Your Choice?
Unlike a paper plan, an online advance care plan does not need to be with a person in an emergency. Online advance care plans created through Voice Your Choice are stored electronically on a secure site and are available to your doctors, as well as all hospitals in Maryland. If you are transported to another facility for care, your online advance care plan is also accessible to those other health care facilities. If you experience an emergency and do not have your paper advance care plan with you, your doctors and loved ones may not know your health care preferences.
Who can be my health care agent?
In Maryland, a health care agent must be at least 18 years and old and cannot be your doctor. Aside from those two requirements, anyone you feel can speak for you if you cannot speak for yourself during a health care crisis can be your health care agent. You can designate your health care agent to be your spouse, family member, friend, neighbor, or whomever you trust to speak for you. Your health care agent should be someone who knows you well and understands your wishes. Health care agents can advocate for your health care wishes ONLY when you are unable to speak for yourself and they cannot make any financial decisions on your behalf.
Do I need a backup for my health care agent?
You can pick just one person to be your health care agent, but it is a good idea to choose a second person as a backup. Your primary health care agent may become sick, be traveling or otherwise unable to advocate
for you if you become unable to speak for yourself. Having a second or even third health care agent that can step in if your first choice is not available can make sure that there will be someone to speak for you if you cannot speak for yourself.
for you if you become unable to speak for yourself. Having a second or even third health care agent that can step in if your first choice is not available can make sure that there will be someone to speak for you if you cannot speak for yourself.
How does the medical team access my online advance
care plan in a medical crisis?
care plan in a medical crisis?
Health care providers can access your Voice Your Choice advance care plan through a secure “health information exchange system.” In Maryland, this system is called CRISP. CRISP allows hospitals and health care providers to have easy access to your advance care plan in an emergency and makes your plan mobile across different types of care settings.
What is the difference between advance care plan and a MOLST?
An advance care plan (sometimes called a living will or advance directive) is a legal document that provides general information about what type of care and treatments an individual would want if they become unable to speak for themselves during a medical emergency or due to a severe illness. An advance care plan legally designates a health care agent and is signed by the individual completing the form. It is a good idea for all adults to have an advance care plan.
The MOLST (Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) is a medical order for specific health care treatments an individual would want during a medical emergency. A doctor completes and signs a MOLST form. MOLST forms are appropriate for individuals with a severe illness or frailty nearing the end-of-life and must be followed in all medical settings and by emergency medical services personnel.
The MOLST (Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) is a medical order for specific health care treatments an individual would want during a medical emergency. A doctor completes and signs a MOLST form. MOLST forms are appropriate for individuals with a severe illness or frailty nearing the end-of-life and must be followed in all medical settings and by emergency medical services personnel.
Will my advance care plan and wishes be honored if I go out of state?
The online platform that Voice Your Choice uses is accessible to 75% of US hospitals, 70,000 medical groups, and 5,200 dialysis centers. If you are traveling there is a good chance that a provider will be able to access your online advance care plan. Just in case, we recommend that you also carry a “wallet card” as a backup. The wallet card can be found on the online platform homepage and printed off.
I'm young and healthy so why do I need an advance care plan?
People of all ages may unexpectedly be in a position where they cannot speak for themselves. Accidents or a serious illness can happen, surgeries may be needed, and during the COVID-19 outbreak we have seen that the virus impacts everyone - regardless of age. In these situations, having an advance care plan ensures that your doctor knows your wishes about the kind of care you want and who will speak for you if you cannot speak for yourself.
Can advance care plans include information regarding cultural or religious beliefs?
Absolutely! Including your cultural and/or religious beliefs is encouraged. There is a section on the Voice Your Choice online platform dedicated to capturing your cultural and religious beliefs. These beliefs can be reflected as you make choices about your preferences for care and medical treatments.
Can I indicate that I am an organ and tissue donor in an online advance care plan?
Yes. There is a section on the Voice Your Choice online platform that provides an opportunity to share your thoughts on organ and tissue donation.
Do I need to have an attorney to prepare an advance care plan for me?
While it is not required that you get an attorney to help prepare an advance care plan, some people do choose this option. Other people choose to create an advance care plan on their own. The Voice Your Choice online platform is a resource that you can use on your own. The online platform will guide you through the process of selecting your health care agent, help you identify your values and preferences, and provide the opportunity to share this information with your loved ones and medical providers. The Voice Your Choice online platform can also be used to upload an existing advance care plan created by attorneys (or by individuals) and MOLST forms.
What if I change my mind about what I want after completing the online advance care plan?
The online advance care plan is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Unlike paper advance care plans that you must destroy and recreate if you make any changes, online advance care plans allow you to make changes at any time. As an extra safety precaution, there is a document history that tracks all changes.
Does the Voice Your Choice online advance care plan need to be witnessed and notarized?
No. The online advance care plan that you complete on the Voice Your Choice platform does not require a witness or a notary to be valid. You will, however, need to validate your identity.
What is the difference between a health care agent and a financial power of attorney?
A health care agent is a person you select and give permission to make health care decisions on your behalf if you are unable to speak for yourself. Your health care agent can oversee your medical care and advocate for your health care choices according to your advance care plan. A financial power of attorney gives the person you select the authority to make legal and financial decisions on your behalf. A financial power of attorney will allow the person you designate access to your financial accounts so that they can pay your bills and other financial obligations if you are unable to do so yourself.
How do I talk to my doctor about my health care wishes?
You can talk to your doctor during a regular health care visit or ask to set up a visit to discuss your health care wishes. We suggest you use the questions found on the Voice Your Choice online platform to guide the conversation. Be sure to ask your doctor about health care treatments as they relate to your health condition and age and let you doctor know who you have selected as your health care agent.
What do I need to verify my identity?
You will need your legal name (no nicknames), your address, date of birth, and an item to confirm your identity. This can be your phone number, credit card number or social security number. If you feel uncomfortable sharing that type of information you can choose the “Opt Out” button and still be able to sign and finalize your online advance care plan.
Who will have access to my online advance care plan?
Your online advance care plan can be accessed by health care providers through Maryland’s “health information exchange” called CRISP. The Voice Your Choice online platform also gives you the option to grant access to your online advance care plan to others such as your health care agent and those who matter most to you. The choice of who to share with and how much you want to share is up to you.
Can I upload my paper advance care plan?
Yes, the Voice Your Choice platform allows you to upload an existing paper advance care plan. The platform also provides the opportunity to upload, store, and share other documents such as a MOLST, personal papers, notes to loved ones, or videos and in a secure setting.
Where can I find help to create my online advance care plan or upload an existing paper plan?
Voice Your Choice offers many resources that can help you with your online advance care planning or upload. Free live webinars are offered monthly and registration can be found on the Events page on the Voice Your Choice website. For those unable to make the live webinars, there are recorded webinars on the Community page of the website. Step-by-step guides for online advance care planning and uploads can be found on the Resources page. And staff is always available to answer your questions through the Contact page on the website.
