Frequently Asked Questions

• Speak with your primary provider about your wishes. Their input is helpful as you pursue end of life planning. If your provider does not want to participate (that is their right by law), they will refer you to someone who will. A physician or nurse practitioner can be a prescriber for medical aid in dying. Unfortunately a physician assistant or “PA” cannot.
  
  Patients may self refer to our End of Life Options Clinic at BCH by calling 303-415-4244. No formal referral is required for a consult.
   
• At least two appointments with the prescribing provider are needed, at least 7 days apart. These are considered the required “verbal requests.” They can be in person or by telemedicine.
• Speak with a consulting provider who will confirm that you are eligible to receive the medication. This can be a physician or a nurse practitioner. This is often a current member of your clinical team, such a primary care provider or specialist. Our team can help you coordinate a consultant if you do not already have a supportive clinical team.
• Make one written request to the prescribing provider using the required state form that has been signed by 2 witnesses; once completed, this form can be given to the medical team at any time during the process, including submitted electronically.
• Once you have completed all the required steps, your attending provider needs to order the medication for you and send notification to the state.

To be eligible for medical aid in dying you must be:

• An adult
• Terminally ill with six months or less to live
• Mentally capable of making your own healthcare decisions
• A resident of Colorado
• Acting voluntarily
• Able to take the medication on your own