Dear Joanna,
I suppose you have written about this before but it isn't in the last 12 months of newsletters on the Hospice website. Please tell me about the VT Directive Registry thing again. Why do people do it? Thanks, K. L.
Dear KL,
Thanks for asking! I'll try to be brief - and clear:
1) There is a National Registry - the computer located in New Jersey - where anyone can register their own directive. This means that wherever you are in the US a provider can call the registry to find out your written health care wishes.
2) Registering for an individual costs $59. However - great news: Vermont (and Washington) have a contract with the Registry which covers the cost for everyone in the state. Yay Vermont! When you call the Registry with any non-emergency questions there is a specific number for Vermont info. Providers have a direct emergency number.
3) When you register your directive you get a card for your wallet and stickers for your insurance card. Every year you get a reminder letter- asking if you need to update any of the info.
4) The card and stickers say you have a registered Advance Directive. Every hospital or other medical provider is required to obtain a copy in case they don't have one in your file or you didn't bring one.
5) You can see your own directive on line; you can fill out the writeable PDF on line; you can change small data like phone numbers and addresses on line. To make major changes you have to download an Authorization to Change Form and mail that in with your revisions.
6) If someone has the older document "Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care" and all the info is still as they want it, they can send THAT to the registry! You can even register a document from another state although it is preferable to use the current Vermont Advance Directive Form.
The point is that for us who live in Vermont this is a free perk and well worth that simple step of filling out the single sided registration form. (I have folks do that first as it is so easy and then doesn't feel like a drag after you have done all the work of your directive.) A lot of people still don't know about this so please spread the word.
Any other question about it, please ask, Joanna
Dear Joanna,
I have a couple of friends who freak at the thought of meeting one-on-one about their Advance Directive but they do want to get it done. They won't listen when I say it's great having the time with a facilitator and it's FREE! What can I do? Thanks, Pushy
Dear Pushy,
Your timing is perfect actually. April 17-23 is National Health Care Decisions Week and there will be lots of opportunities to ask questions in casual settings around town at no cost. Please share the Event schedule above and encourage them to come to any of them.
