UC Davis Health
End of Life Option Act

Qualifying for the California End of Life Option Act at UC Davis Health

California's End of Life Option Act

Qualifying at UC Davis Health

Couple holding hands

The California End of Life Option Act regulates the practice of medical aid-in-dying, often called “MAID.” With MAID, a terminally-ill adult, having met specific legal requirements, can request a lethal dose of medication, which they may choose to use to end their life. UC Davis Health participates in the law, meaning that UC Davis physicians may assist patients with the medical assessments required to qualify for the law.

  • Participation is voluntary.
    No one can be pressured into participating in the law.

  • Qualification is not automatic.
    There are specific requirements, or safeguards, that must be met in order to qualify.

  • Qualification takes time.
    The complete assessment process involves several steps, which may take a number of weeks to complete.

  • Medical aid-in-dying is just one option.
    Care near the end of life often goes most smoothly when it includes extra help from a hospice or palliative care team. Many patients enrolled in hospice experience a peaceful and dignified death, with expert support for their loved ones. Hospice enrollment is not a requirement for qualification in the End of Life Option Act, but it is strongly encouraged as a valuable extra layer of support.

Steps involved in the process

The process begins when you ask your UC Davis Health provider for assistance with qualifying for an aid-in-dying medication. Your doctor will document the request and make a referral to the “Medical Aid-in-Dying Navigator.” They will also tell you whether or not they have chosen to participate in the law.

The Navigator will contact you, discuss your situation, provide education about the qualification process, and give guidance about next steps, if appropriate.

The Navigator will meet with you to discuss your values, beliefs and goals, and to explore your support system and plans for end of life care. This assessment will help the MAID team understand your situation and identify additional needs for support.

You’ll submit a written request for assistance with aid-in-dying, using the form “Request for an Aid-in-Dying Drug.” Two individuals will need to sign the written request.

The Consulting Physician will evaluate you and provide a second opinion about your diagnosis, prognosis, and ability to make your own health care decisions.

In some circumstances, your doctor may request an evaluation by a psychiatrist or psychologist, to help determine that your decision-making is not impaired by a serious mental health problem. (The presence of a mental health problem alone does not disqualify you from the End of Life Option Act.)

In this assessment with the Attending Physician, several important things will happen. You will make a 2nd Oral Request for an aid-in-dying medication. (The 2nd request must happen at least 48 hours after the 1st.) Your physician will confirm your diagnosis, prognosis, and ability to make your own healthcare decisions. They will also provide specific counseling about aid-in-dying.  

UC Davis Health Legal Affairs will briefly review your case, to confirm that you and your doctors have met the law’s requirements. Once this is done, the Attending Physician may prescribe the aid-in-dying medications.

You, or a person you designate, will have an appointment with the Navigator and Pharmacist. They will provide education about cost, storage, use, and disposal of medication, and the medications will be dispensed.

Participants involved

MAID Navigator

The Navigator is a social worker with experience caring for patients approaching the end of life. The Navigator will help guide you and your doctors through the End of Life Option Act qualification process. 

Attending Physician

The Attending Physician is the doctor responsible for determining whether you qualify, based on all the evaluations and safeguards. If you qualify, the Attending Physician can prescribe an aid-in-dying drug. In some cases, the Attending Physician may not have treated you in the past, but they will make a careful effort to understand your goals and preferences about end of life care.

Consulting Physician

The Consulting Physician provides a second opinion about your diagnosis, prognosis, and ability to make an informed choice about aid-in-dying. 

Mental Health Specialist

In some cases, the law requires an evaluation by a psychiatrist or psychologist, in order to determine whether a patient’s judgment is affected by a significant mental health condition.

Pharmacist

The UC Davis Pharmacist dispenses the aid-in-dying medications and provides education about how to prepare, administer, and dispose of medication.
Frequently Asked Questions

Ask your UC Davis Health provider. They will make a referral for the MAID Navigator.

Doctors are not required to participate. The Navigator will help identify a participating physician to work with you.

Often, care near the end of life goes most smoothly when it includes extra help from a hospice or palliative care team. Ask your doctor about whether these options may also be a good fit for you and your loved ones.

Some of the qualification steps may be done via Video Visit, at your health care provider’s discretion.

No; UC Davis Health does not accept referrals or transfers solely for the purpose of qualifying for medical aid-in-dying. Individuals unaffiliated with UC Davis Health may find guidance about other avenues for MAID in the "Additional Resources" section.