Advance Directives

About advance directives

People who are 18 years of age or older often make important choices about their health. State law lets you accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment. The law lets you pick someone to choose your care if you cannot. You can also say you want to make an organ donation. Advance directives are the way you state your choices.

The best way to make sure your advance directive is followed is to write it down. Make sure to give a copy to your doctors and your family. They will follow your instructions.

This is an important matter. You should talk to your spouse, family, close friends, your physician and your attorney before deciding whether or not you want an advance directive.

We will honor your wishes to the fullest extent allowed by law. We will let you know within 90 days of any changes in this law.

If you think a provider or AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana is not following your advance directive, see Grievances, Appeals and State Fair Hearings. You can also file a complaint with the Office of Health Standards, Louisiana’s Survey and Certification agency, at 225-342-0138.

There are three kinds of advance directives in Louisiana:

Do not resuscitate (DNR) order
A DNR order tells your healthcare providers to not revive you if your heart stops beating or if you stop breathing. You can ask your physician to enter a DNR into your records at any time.

Living will (also known as a Declaration)
A living will is a written record of what types of medical care you would or would not want to have if you are terminally or irreversibly ill. More information about a living will is available in the member handbook. 

Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
This is a legal document that gives the name of the person who can make healthcare decisions in case you cannot make them for yourself.  More information is available in the member handbook.