Information to Providers on Advance Directives

Community Health Plan, together with its providers, contractors, vendors, and business associates, follows all federal or state laws, agency determinations, or contract requirements regarding advance directives.

Advance directive means a written instruction, recognized under state law, relating to how to provide health care when an individual is incapacitated. For the state of Washington, this written instruction takes the form of two documents: a Health Care Directive (also known as a Living Will) and a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.

At the time of enrollment, Community Health Plan tells all members, both orally and in writing, of the member's right to make decisions about his or her care, to accept or refuse surgical or medical treatment, to make an advance directive, and to change or cancel it at any time. Together with the above information, members get a copy of Community Health Plan's policy and procedure about advance directives, including any policy that would prevent Community Health Plan from following a member's advance directive. Community Health Plan also gives all members a list of their rights under state law. All of this information is given in a language the member understands.

Anyone who asks for a copy of the Community Health Plan advance directives policy and procedures will be given a copy. You do not have to be a member to see the policy and procedure. Community Health Plan puts its policy and procedure about advance directives in its Provider Manual and here:

You can also ask for the advance directives policy and procedure by calling Customer Service at 1-800-440-1561 (toll free). If you are hearing or speech impaired, please call TTY 1-866-816-2479 (toll free) or local 206-613-8875.

Providers, contractors, vendors, and business associates of Community Health Plan give the above information to members as follows:

  • Hospitals: at the time the member is admitted as an inpatient.
  • Nursing facilities: at the time the member is admitted as a resident.
  • Providers of in-home care services: before the member comes under the care of the provider or at the time of the first home visit, so long as it is provided prior to care being given.
  • Hospice programs: at the time the member initially receives hospice care from the program.

Primary care providers should talk about advance directives with their adult patients and must put this in the patient's medical record.

If Community Health Plan cannot honor a member's advance directive, we will:

  • Tell the member before admission or enrollment or when the member completes the directive.
  • Give the member a written statement that explains:
    • The difference between an objection by the organization and an objection by the provider.
    • Which state legal authority permits the objection.
    • The range of medical conditions or procedures affected.
  • Record a written plan of what we intend to do if the member still chooses to get care from that provider or organization.

If you are not happy with the way Community Health Plan or a provider handles advance directives, you can file a grievance with Community Health Plan. For information about filing a grievance, see the Member Benefits Summary for your plan, which was mailed to you.

If you think that Community Health Plan or its providers, contractors, vendors, or business associates are not following the rules for advance directives, you may file a grievance.

Community Health Plan actively works to increase the awareness of members, providers, and staff about advance directives.