us for a coverage decision . Chapter 9 of the Evidence of Coverage tells how to ask the plan for a coverage decision .
• You have the right to give instructions about what is to be done if you are not able to make medical decisions for yourself . Sometimes people become unable to make health care decisions for themselves due to accidents or serious illness . You have the right to say what you want to happen if you are in this situation . This means that , if you want to , you can : o Fill out a written form to give someone the legal authority to make medical decisions for you if you ever become unable to make decisions for yourself / o Give your doctors written instructions about how you want them to handle your medical care if you become unable to make decisions for yourself .
The legal documents that you can use to give your directions in advance in these situations are called “ advanced directives .” There are different types of advance directives and different names for them . Documents called “ living will ” and “ power of attorney for health care ” are examples of advance directives . If you want to use an “ advanced directive ” to give your instructions , here is what to do :
• Get the form . If you want to have an advance directive , you can get a form from your lawyer , form a social worker , or from some office supply stores . You can sometimes get advance directive forms from organizations that give people information about Medicare . You can also contact Customer Service to ask for the forms .
• Fill it out and sign it . Regardless of where you get this form , keep in mind that it is a legal document . You should consider having a lawyer help you prepare it .
• Give copies to appropriate people . You should give a copy of the form to your doctor and to the person you name on the form as the one to make decisions for you if you can ’ t . You may want to give copies to close friends or family members as well . Be sure to keep a copy at home .
If you know ahead of time that you are going to be hospitalized , and you have a signed advance directive , take a copy with you to the hospital .
• If you are admitted to the hospital , they will ask you whether you have signed an advance directive form and whether you have it with you .
• If you have not signed an advance directive form , the hospital has forms available and will ask if you want to sign one .
Remember , it is your choice whether you want to fill out an advance directive ( including whether you want to sign one if you are in the hospital ). According to
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