Mass. General Laws c.112 § 12G 1/2

Physician reporting of diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease to family member or legal personal representative of patient

This is an unofficial version of a Massachusetts General Law. For more information on this topic, please see:

• Law about elders' issues
• Law about health care

Updates

Added by St.2018, c. 220, § 5, effective November 7, 2018

 

(a)

A physician registered under this chapter shall, upon an initial diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease of a patient, report the diagnosis to a family member or legal personal representative of the patient and provide to that family member or legal personal representative information and resources related to the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease; provided, however, that the physician shall only report the diagnosis and provide the information if: (i) the physician has first obtained the consent of the patient; or (ii) to the extent consistent with federal and state law or regulation, in the reasonable judgment of the physician, the patient is incapacitated or unable to provide consent. A physician shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability or disciplinary action by the board of registration in medicine based on a decision, made pursuant to this section, to communicate with or to not communicate with a family member or legal personal representative of a person diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Last updated:	July 8, 2019