Millions of Californians are newly eligible for a health care benefit that could determine the treatment they receive in their final days – and most don’t know it. Medi-Cal, which covers more than 13 million Californians, and Medicare, with more than 5 million California enrollees, now pay for “advance care planning” discussions with doctors. Advance care planning isn’t about long-term care options, such as nursing homes or assisted living. It’s about “your wishes for your care if you are not able to speak for yourself,” says Helen McNeal, executive director of the California State University Institute for Palliative Care. “If you’re incapacitated, if you need someone to speak for you, who...
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