This information explains what to expect during the Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) process at MSK for residents of New York.
Starting the MAiD process does not mean you must go through with it. You can change your mind and stop the MAiD process at any time. Your MSK care team will keep supporting you throughout your care, whatever you decide.
Steps for the MAiD process at MSK
These steps give a general overview of the MAiD process. Most of the steps are based on state law.
Step 1: Ask for MAiD
Only you can ask for MAiD.
Family members, caregivers, health care agents, and other people cannot ask for MAiD for you.
You cannot ask for MAiD through:
- An advance directive, such as a living will.
- A Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) form.
- A Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form.
To get MAiD through MSK, you must be age 18 or older, reside (live) in New York, and meet other eligibility requirements. For more information about other eligibility requirements, read Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) Information for New York State Department of Health
If you want to ask for MAiD, talk with your MSK care team. They’ll tell you about your options and refer you to the MAiD social worker to start the MAiD process.
Step 2: Meet with a MAiD social worker
After you ask for MAiD, your first appointment will be with a MAiD social worker.
Your MAiD social worker will:
- Check and make sure you are a New York resident.
- Explain how the MAiD process works and answer any questions you have.
- Talk with you about available support services. They’ll refer you to our Supportive Care Service.
- Help coordinate your MAiD appointments.
After you meet with your MAiD social worker, you will be told if you can move on to the next step in the MAiD process. If you can move forward, they’ll refer you to the MAiD Clinical Team.
If you need to change or cancel a MAiD appointment, call the MAiD Administrative Team at 212-639-5675.
If you have any questions about the MAiD process, contact your MAiD social worker.
You can:
- Call Social Work Department at 212-639-7020.
- Send a message through MSK MyChart, our patient portal.
Step 3: Meet with the MAiD Clinical Team
After your first appointment with your MAiD social worker, you’ll meet with members of the MAiD Clinical Team.
Your MAiD Clinical Team works closely with your MSK care team. Your MSK care team will keep managing your cancer care throughout the MAiD process.
Your MAiD Clinical Team will:
- Explain how the MAiD process works and answer any questions you have.
- Review your medical history.
- Talk with you about your goals and wishes.
Your MAiD Clinical Team will also go over your care options with you. This includes:
- Palliative care (supportive care).
- Hospice care.
- Pain and symptom management.
- Emotional support.
- Spiritual care.
- Other services that may help you and your loved ones.
Your MAiD Clinical Team will make sure you understand all your care options before you decide to move forward with the MAiD process.
Step 4: Get medical evaluations and make an oral request for MAiD
Before MAiD medicine can be prescribed, you must be evaluated (looked at) by:
- A MAiD attending doctor. This is the doctor who decides if you’re eligible for MAiD and prescribes the MAiD medicine.
- A MAiD consulting doctor. This is a second doctor who confirms that you’re eligible for MAiD.
- A New York-licensed mental health professional.
These healthcare providers will:
- Review your medical history.
- Confirm your diagnosis and prognosis of the terminal illness you’re being treated for at MSK.
- Make sure you understand all your care options. This includes making sure you’re able to understand and make your own healthcare decisions.
- Answer any questions you have.
Your first appointment with the MAiD attending doctor is usually done in person. At this appointment, you’ll make an oral request for MAiD to your MAiD attending doctor. This means you communicate directly with your MAiD attending doctor that you want MAiD. You can make this request by speaking or by using another way you normally communicate.
Your oral request must be recorded by an audio or video device and kept in your medical record. Your MAiD Clinical Team will be with you when you make your oral request. They’ll tell you when the recording will start.
Step 5: Make a written request for MAiD
After making an oral request for MAiD, you must also make a written request for MAiD. To do this, fill out the New York State Department of Health’s “Request for Medication to End My Life” (DOH-5847) form. Your MAiD Clinical Team will explain how to fill out the form.
Do not sign the form until your MAiD attending doctor has:
- Told you which MAiD medicine they will prescribe.
- Explained what the MAiD medicine will do and what the risks of taking it are
- Gone over other care options with you.
You must choose 2 eligible adult witnesses to watch you sign the form. Both witnesses must also sign the form while you are there.
In New York, neither witness can be:
- Related to you by blood, marriage, or adoption.
- Someone who would get part of your estate or otherwise benefit financially from your death.
- Your domestic partner.
- An agent acting under a power of attorney for you.
- An MSK employee or MSK contracted staff member.
Your MAiD Clinical Team will go over the witness requirements with you before you sign the form. You do not need to remember these requirements on your own. Your MAiD Clinical Team will guide you through each step.
Step 6: Get a prescription
If you meet all the legal requirements for MAiD and decide to move forward with the MAiD process, your MAiD attending doctor will prescribe the MAiD medicine.
In New York, the prescription generally cannot be filled until 5 days after it is written. This waiting period may be waived if your MAiD attending doctor medically confirms that you may die before the 5 days have passed.
Your MAiD Clinical Team will explain:
- How to get the MAiD medicine.
- How to store the MAiD medicine safely.
- How to dispose of (get rid of) unused MAiD medicine.
Getting a prescription does not mean you must take the MAiD medicine.
After you complete the MAiD requirements
If you change your mind
You can stop the MAiD process at any time. You can also decide not to take the MAiD medicine after you get it.
Your MSK care team will keep caring for you and supporting you, whatever you decide.
Before taking the MAiD medicine
If you decide to take the MAiD medicine, your MAiD Clinical Team care team recommends that you:
- Tell your loved ones about your plans, if you feel comfortable doing so. This can be your caregiver, family, or friends.
- Do not take the MAiD medicine in a public place. Choose a private place where you’ll feel comfortable.
- Have a loved one with you when you take the MAiD medicine, if possible.
Only you can take the MAiD medicine. No one else can give it to you. Your MAiD Clinical Team will talk with you about these recommendations and answer any questions you have.
Please read this resource about taking the MAiD medicine, About Your Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) Medicine
Support for you and your family
You and your loved ones may find these services helpful during the MAiD process:
- Supportive Care Service (www.msk.org/supportive-care)
- Social Work Services (www.msk.org/social-work)
- Spiritual Care Services (www.msk.org/spiritual-religious-care)
- Counseling Center (www.msk.org/counseling)
- Integrative Medicine and Wellness Service (www.msk.org/integrative-medicine)
- Patient Representatives (www.msk.org/patient-rep)
Your MSK care team can help you choose the services that best meet your needs.
If you have any questions about the MAiD process, contact your MAiD social worker.
You can:
- Call Social Work Services at 212-639-7020.
- Send a message through MSK MyChart, our patient portal.
If you need to change or cancel a MAiD appointment, call the MAiD Administrative Team at 212-639-5675.
If you have medical questions that are not about MAiD, contact your MSK healthcare provider or another member of your MSK care team.
Learn about our Health Information Policy.