Formal method of obtaining comments about regional medical review policy development and revision and to discuss and improve administrative policies within the durable medical equipment regional contractor’s discretion. These workgroups may consist of physicians, clinicians, Medicare beneficiaries, suppliers, and manufacturers who are able to give input.

Document that voluntarily designates a competent individual to make health care decisions if the patient becomes disabled or incapacitated and loses ability and cannot make decisions for treatment including the final decision about stopping treatment. Also see power of attorney . This type of advance directive also may be called a health care proxy or appointment of health care agent .

Length of time for each happening or occurrence of a medical problem or symptom.

Legal or ethical obligation to release confidential information on a patient when it is necessary to warn an individual who is in imminent danger from that patient (e.g., risk of acquiring a disease as a result of a relationship with the patient). The duty to warn is a legal mandate in many states.