Why you should know about Indiana's "POST" form

The Indiana Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST) form was created in 2013.  It is much broader than a Living Will,   which is limited to end-of-life decisions regarding artificially administered food and water.  The POST Form allows a patient to state their preferences for life sustaining treatments including resuscitation, medical interventions (e.g., comfort care, hospitalization, intubation, mechanical ventilation), and antibiotics.  The form must be signed by a physician to become activated.  While it is intended for seriously ill persons, I have begun introducing it to many of my estate planning clients, regardless or age or health, and suggesting that they may want to consider discussing the form with their family doctor.  More information about Indiana's POST program may be found at www.indianapost.org/