Advance Directives in the COVID-19 Era

Dear Dr. Jeff: On the list of recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic from every expert is the suggestion that residents and families be approached regarding advance directives such as Do Not Resuscitate and Do Not Intubate orders and Living Wills. Weren’t facilities always required to do this both by federal law and the federal Requirements of Participation in Medicare and Medicaid? Did the coronavirus pandemic change these requirements?