Planning Ahead

It is always a good idea to plan ahead. That goes for planning ahead for your health needs, too. 

Advance Directive

An advance directive is a written record about your future care and treatment. This includes mental health care. It helps your family and providers know your wishes about your care. Some people may not want to spend months or years on life support. Others may want all steps taken to live longer.

What do you need to ask when making an advance directive?

  • You will need to answer some tough questions when you make an advance directive. Think about these things when you make yours:
  • It is a choice to write one.
  • The law states that you can make choices about health care and surgical treatment, such as agreeing to or refusing care.
  • Having one does not mean you want to die.
  • You can choose a person to make health care choices for you when you cannot make them. You may also use it to keep certain people from making decisions for you.
  • You must be of sound mind to make one.
  • You must be at least 18 years old or an emancipated minor to have one.
  • Having one will not change other insurance.
  • It can be changed or ended at any time.

Where do I get advance directive forms?

Many of the people and places that give you medical care have advance directive forms. A lawyer could also help you.

Can I change my advance directive?

Yes. It is a good idea to look over your advance directives from time to time. Make sure they still say what you want and that they cover all areas of care.

Learn More

Learn more about advance directives in your member handbook. You can also visit the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s website CaringInfo.org or call 1-800-282-6556.

Guardianship

A guardian is someone chosen by a court to be legally in charge for another person.

When will a Guardian be chosen?

A court will choose a guardian for someone who can no longer make safe choices by themselves. This is usually due to legal or mental incapacity. In certain situations a minor may also have a guardian chosen for them.

How do I get a Guardianship?

Only a court can choose a guardian. The court that chooses a guardian is your local court. This could differ based on where you live. Call your local court, a local lawyer, or local legal aid service for more information.

Disaster Readiness

Be ready for public health threats. These can involve natural disasters, disease outbreaks, accidents with unsafe substances or terrorist attacks.

These can be hard to predict and are out of your control. But you can take steps now to help keep your family safe.

Steps to take now:

Make a family plan. Choose a friend or a family member who lives out of town to reach in an emergency. Your family can text or call this person to let them know they are safe.

Have important phone numbers on hand. Include emergency contacts, fire and police departments, and a local hospital.

Make a kit. Add food, water, cash, first aid items, a flashlight, a radio, a multi-purpose tool, medications, health care items, ID cards, cell phone with chargers, map of the area, a blanket, and sanitation goods like bleach.

Know where to go if you need to leave your home. Choose a meeting place in your neighborhood, a spot just outside of your neighborhood, and a place out of town.

Download smart phone apps. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has an app that gives alerts as well as crisis safety details.

Sign up on the American Red Cross Safe and Well website. This lets others know you are okay if there is a disaster. Call 1-866-GET-INFO If you do not have internet access.

Keep your contact information updated so we can reach you in an emergency. You can do this through CareSource MyLife.