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« Back to Map

National POLST Program Designations

Click a state for more information

  • mature
  • endorsed
  • active
  • unaffiliated

Only active programs are eligible for endorsed status; unaffiliated status does not reflect program development. Mature programs also endorsed and counted in both the mature and endorsed program totals. Totals include Washington DC.
LEARN MORE in the text below the map.

Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State Arizona
Program Contact Sandra Severson, BSN, MBA, CPHQ, CPPS, CENP, FACHE Vice President, Care Improvement sseverson@azhha.org
Address 2800 N Central Ave, Suite 1450
Phoenix AZ 85004
Organization Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association
Phone (602) 445-4303
Email sseverson@azhha.org
Social Media Facebook Twitter
Program name POLST: Portable Medical Orders
Program website http://www.azhha.org/arizona_polst
Started on 2012
Endorsed since June 22, 2020
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Status: Unaffiliated.
State Wyoming
Program Contact James Little Jr, MD fpjlittle@tetonhospital.org
Address PO Box 4010
Jackson, WY 83001
Organization St. John's Medical Center
Phone (307) 739-8999
Fax (307) 739-9222
Email fpjlittle@tetonhospital.org
Program Contact Cindy Works, MD Clinical Assistant Professor cworks@uwyo.edu
Address 1522 East A Street
Casper, WY 82601
Organization University of Wyoming Family Medicine Residency
Phone (307) 234-6161
Email cworks@uwyo.edu
Program name WyoPOLST - Providers Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment
Program website https://www.wyomed.org/wyopolst
Legislative
Information
2015 WY Provider Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment Program Act
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Status: Active.
State Wisconsin
Program Contact Renee Foutz, MD rfoutz@mcw.edu
Address 9200 W Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53226
Organization Wisconsin POLST Coalition
Phone (414) 805-4607
Email rfoutz@mcw.edu
Status National POLST had recognized the LaCrosse region as endorsed but eliminated regional endorsements in 2014. Wisconsin was temporarily granted endorsement status as it worked to meet all statewide endorsement requirements; their status was updated in 2017 to “active” as a more accurate reflection of their program status.
Program name POLST - Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment
Program website http://www.gundersenhealth.org/advance-care/resources
Started on 1997
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Status: Mature.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State West Virginia
Program Contact Danielle Funk, MS Program Manager dcfunk@hsc.wvu.edu
Address 64 Medical Center Drive
Room 1168F Health Sciences North
Morgantown, WV 26506-9022
Organization The West Virginia Center for End-of-Life Care
Phone (877) 209-8086 toll free or (304) 293-0695
Fax (844) 616-1415
Email dcfunk@hsc.wvu.edu
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Program name POST - Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment
Program website http://wvendoflife.org/home/
Started on 2002
Endorsed since 2005
Mature since April 25, 2013
Legislative
Information
2017 SB 1014 PAs authorized to sign POST Forms 2016 HB 4334 APRNs authorized to sign DNR and POST Forms
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Status: Active.
State District of Columbia
Program Contact Aisha Williams, MBA Emergency Preparedness Planner Specialist aisha.williams@dc.gov
Address 899 North Capitol Street NE, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Organization D.C. Department of Health / Health Emergency Preparedness & Response Administration
Phone (202) 671-0690
Email aisha.williams@dc.gov
Program Contact Brian W. Amy, MD, MHA, MPH, FACPM Chief Medical Officer Brian.Amy@dc.gov
Address 899 North Capitol Street NE, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Organization D.C. Department of Health / Health Emergency Preparedness & Response Administration
Phone (202) 671-0705
Email Brian.Amy@dc.gov
Program name MOST - Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment
Program website https://dchealth.dc.gov/most
Legislative
Information
2015 ACT 21-247 Creation of MOST in DC
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Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State Washington
Program Contact Bruce C. Smith, MD, FACP Bruce.Smith2@providence.org
Phone (206) 441-9762
Email Bruce.Smith2@providence.org
Program name POLST - Portable Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment
Program website https://wsma.org/POLST
Started on 2000
Endorsed since 2005
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Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State Virginia
Program Contact Karen Dotson Program Coordinator, Virginia POST Collaborative program.coordinator@virginiapost.org
Address 3180 Fairview Park Dr, Ste 500
Falls Church, VA 22042
Organization Capital Caring Health - Home of the Virginia POST Collaborative
Phone (703) 957-1763
Email program.coordinator@virginiapost.org
Program Contact Matthew G. Kestenbaum, MD, FAAHPM Medical Director, Virginia POST Collaborative mkestenbaum@capitalcaring.org
Address 3180 Fairview Park Dr, Ste 500
Falls Church, VA 22042
Organization Capital Caring Health - Home of the Virginia POST Collaborative
Phone (703) 957-1888
Email mkestenbaum@capitalcaring.org
Program name POST - Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment
Program website http://www.virginiapost.org/
Started on 2006
Endorsed since January 14, 2016
Legislative
Information
Virginia POST to be Honored as Durable Do Not Resuscitate Order
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Status: Unaffiliated.
State Vermont
Program Contact Cindy Bruzzese, MPA Executive Director cbruzzese@vtethicsnetwork.org
Address 61 Elm Street
Montpelier, VT 05602
Organization Vermont Ethics Network
Phone (802) 828-2909
Email cbruzzese@vtethicsnetwork.org
Status The current Vermont DNR/COLST Form is cumbersome and unclear, which potentially causes confusion and likely reduces effectiveness in honoring patient wishes. The form lacks the structure of the majority of other POLST Paradigm Programs, which increases the likelihood that the form will not be honored outside Vermont; this is especially problematic since the POLST Paradigm promotes portable medical orders that help ensure patient treatment wishes are followed, regardless of where they are during a medical crisis.
Program name COLST - Clinician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment
Program website http://www.vtethicsnetwork.org/colst.html
Started on 2005
Legislative
Information
§ 9708. DNR orders and clinician orders for life-sustaining treatment 2013 Letter to Vermont COLST explaining noncompliance with National POLST
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Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State Utah
Program Contact Emmie Gardner, MSW, LCSW CEO egardner@hcmutah.org
Address 860 East 4500 South, Suite 204
Salt Lake City, UT 84107
Organization Holy Cross Ministries
Phone (385) 257-2377
Email egardner@hcmutah.org
Program name POLST - Provider Order for Life Sustaining Treatment
Program website https://bemsp.utah.gov/operations-and-response/ems-operations/advance-care-directives
Started on 2002
Endorsed since April 28, 2011
Legislative
Information
2016 Prior Orders and Out of State Orders
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Status: Active.
State Texas
Program Contact Kim Callanan kim.callanan@gmail.com
Address 2824 Torino Trail
Keller, TX 76248
Organization Texas Talks... supporting the conversations that matter
Phone (817) 675-6821
Email kim.callanan@gmail.com
Program name MOST - Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment
Program website https://www.texastalks.org
Started on 2013
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Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State Tennessee
Program Contact Judy Eads President jeads@comcast.net
Address 711 Shenandoah Drive
Brentwood, TN 37027
Organization Tennessee End of Life Partnership
Phone (615) 289-4275
Fax (615) 246-2773
Email jeads@comcast.net
Program name POST - Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment
Program website http://endoflifecaretn.org/
Started on 2005
Endorsed since February 26, 2009
Legislative
Information
2014 Title 68 TN POST Regulations
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Status: Active.
State South Dakota
Program Contact Michelle (Shelly) Roy DNP, ACM Sr Director Community Case Management, Patient Care Services mroy@regionalhealth.org
Address 353 Fairmont Blvd
Rapid City, SD 57701
Organization Rapid City Regional Hospital
Phone (605) 755-8063
Email mroy@regionalhealth.org
Program name MOST - Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment
Program website https://sdaho.org/most/
Started on July 1, 2019
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Status: Active.
State South Carolina
Program Contact Karen Reeves, BSN, MHHA, FACHE Vice President, Risk Management & Accreditation kreeves@scha.org
Address 1000 Center Point Road
Columbia, SC 29210-5802
Organization South Carolina Hospital Association
Phone (803) 280-0527
Email kreeves@scha.org
Program Contact Wilma Rice, MSN, RN, CEN wilma.rice@rsfh.com
Address 316 Calhoun St.
Charleston, SC 29401
Organization Roper St. Francis Healthcare
Phone (843) 573-4905
Email wilma.rice@rsfh.com
Program name POST - Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment
Program website http://www.scdhec.gov/postform
Started on 2012
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Status: Active.
State Rhode Island
Program Contact Therese (Terry) Rochon, MSN, MA RNP, ACHPN improvingendoflifecare@yahoo.com
Address 51 Health Lane
Warwick, RI 02886
Organization Improving End of Life Care Coalition
Email improvingendoflifecare@yahoo.com
Program name MOLST - Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment
Program website http://myccv.org
Started on 2011
Legislative
Information
Rhode Island Rights of the Terminally Ill Act (RIGL 23-4.11-1 through 15) Rhode Island Department of Health regulations R23-4.11-MOLST (2013)
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Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State Pennsylvania
Program Contact Nicole Greer Pennsylvania POLST Coordinator info@papolst.org
Address 625 Liberty Avenue, Suite 2500
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Organization Coalition for Quality at the End of Life (CQEL)
Phone (412) 586-6719
Email info@papolst.org
Program name PAPOLST - Pennsylvania Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment
Program website http://www.papolst.org/
Started on 2000
Endorsed since January 27, 2011
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Status: Unaffiliated.
State Oregon
Program Contact Anthony Antoville, BFA, CMC Executive Director polst@ohsu.edu
Address 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Mail Code: UHN-86
Portland, OR 97239
Organization Oregon Health & Science University, Center for Ethics in Health Care
Phone (503) 494-3965
Fax (503) 494-1260
Email polst@ohsu.edu
Program Contact Susan Tolle, MD, FACP Chair, Oregon POLST Coalition tolles@ohsu.edu
Phone (503) 494-4466
Email tolles@ohsu.edu
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Status Oregon separated from National POLST in 2017. More information is available here: https://polst.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2018.05-OR-Press-Release.pdf
Program name POLST - Portable Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
Program website http://oregonpolst.org/
Registry website https://orpolstregistry.org/
Started on 1991
Endorsed since 2004
Mature since April 25, 2013
Legislative
Information
2017 Oregon Health Authority Allows Authorized POLST Signer to Issue a Phone Order  2017 SB 856 POLST and Naturopathic Physicians 2009 HB 2009 Oregon POLST Registry 2007 Physicians and Physician Assistants Required to Respect POLST Forms 1999 EMTs/First Responders Required to Respect POLST Forms
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Status: Active.
State Oklahoma
Program Contact Jan Slater, JD, MBA Executive Director jslater1105@gmail.com
Address 4502 East 41st Street
Tulsa, OK 74137
Organization Oklahoma POLST Task Force
Phone (918) 688-6732
Email jslater1105@gmail.com
Program name OkPOLST - Oklahoma Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
Program website http://www.okpolst.org/
Started on 2007
Legislative
Information
2016 HB 3017 OK Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment Act
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Status: Active.
State Ohio
Program Contact Susan Wallace, MSW, LSW Director of Government Relations & Public Affairs swallace@leadingageohio.org
Address 2233 North Bank Drive
Columbus, OH 43220
Organization LeadingAge Ohio
Phone (614) 545-9026
Email swallace@leadingageohio.org
Program Contact Anne Shelley Director of Regulatory Affairs ashelley@leadingageohio.org
Address 2233 North Bank Drive
Columbus, OH 43220
Organization LeadingAge Ohio
Phone (614) 545-9030
Email ashelley@leadingageohio.org
Social Media Facebook Twitter YouTube Flickr
Program name MOLST - Medical Orders For Life Sustaining Treatment
Started on 2006
Legislative
Information
2016 Use of Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
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Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State North Dakota
Program Contact Nancy Joyner, RN, MS, APRN-CNS, ACHPN POLST Program Coordinator for Honoring Choices North Dakota nancy.joyner@honoringchoicesnd.org
Address 702 Belmont Road
Grand Forks, ND 58201
Organization Honoring Choices North Dakota
Phone (701) 746-4728
Email nancy.joyner@honoringchoicesnd.org
Program Contact Rev. Sara Schwarz, MA Chaplain and Advance Care Planning Lead Sara.Schwarz@SanfordHealth.org
Organization Sanford Health Bismarck
Phone (701) 323-2942
Email Sara.Schwarz@SanfordHealth.org
Program name POLST - Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
Program website http://www.honoringchoicesnd.org/polst
Started on 2010
Endorsed since February 13, 2018
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Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State North Carolina
Program Contact Linda Darden, MHA, CPA CEO ldarden@trellissupport.org
Address 101 Hospice Lane
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
Organization Trellis Supportive Care
Phone (336) 768-3972
Fax (336) 201-5222
Email ldarden@trellissupport.org
Social Media Facebook Twitter
Program name MOST - Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment Form
Program website http://compassionatecarenc.org
Started on 2004
Endorsed since August 28, 2008
Legislative
Information
2007 § 90-21.17 Portable do not resuscitate order and Medical Order for Scope of Treatment
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Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State New York
Program Contact Patricia A. Bomba, MD, MACP, FRCP Vice President and Medical Director, Geriatrics Patricia.Bomba@lifethc.com
Address 165 Court Street
Rochester, NY 14647
Organization Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
Phone (585) 238-4514
Fax (585) 453-6365
Email Patricia.Bomba@lifethc.com
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Program name MOLST - Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment
Program website https://molst.org/
Registry website http://NYSeMOLSTregistry.com
Started on 2003
Endorsed since 2006
Legislative
Information
  • New York MOLST Ethics and Law
  • Authority of Nurse Practitioners Under Current NYS Law
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Status: Active.
State New Mexico
Program Contact Lorrie Griego Program Manager lgriego3@phs.org
Address 8100 Constitution Place Northeast, Suite 400
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Organization Presbyterian Home Health Care
Phone (505) 559-6053
Fax (505) 559-1155
Email lgriego3@phs.org
Program name MOST - Medical Orders For Scope of Treatment
Program website http://www.nmmost.org/
Started on 2012
Legislative
Information
New Mexico Uniform Health Care Decisions Act (2015)  
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Status: Active.
State New Jersey
Program Contact Sandy Cayo, DNP FNP-BC Vice President of Clinical Performance and Transformation scayo@njha.com
Address New Jersey Hospital Association
760 Alexander Road, PO BOX 1
Princeton, NJ 08543-0001
Organization New Jersey Hospital Association
Phone (609) 578-0722
Email scayo@njha.com
Program name POLST – Practitioner Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
Program website http://www.njha.com/polst/
Started on 2011
Legislative
Information
2011 Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment Act
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Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State New Hampshire
Program Contact Brian Kugel, MSW bkugel@healthynh.org
Address 125 Airport Road
Concord, NH 03301
Organization Foundation for Healthy Communities
Phone (603) 415-4270
Email bkugel@healthynh.org
Social Media Facebook LinkedIn YouTube
Program name POLST - Provider Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment
Program website http://www.healthynh.com/provider-orders-for-life-sustaining-treatment-polst.html
Started on 2003
Endorsed since August 24, 2017
Legislative
Information
2015 Title X New Hampshire POLST Registry Act
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Status: Active.
State Nevada
Program Contact Peggy Ewald RN, CCM Chair, Nevada POLST peggy@gscnv.com
Address 781 Mill St.
Reno, NV 89502
Organization Geriatric Specialty Care
Phone (775) 741-7902
Fax (775) 323-6022
Email peggy@gscnv.com
Program name POLST - Provider Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment
Program website http://www.nevadapolst.org/
Started on 2009
Legislative
Information
2017 NV POLST Legislation
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Status: Active.
State Nebraska
Program Contact Jacob Dahlke Ethics Director jadahlke@nebraskamed.com
Address 987400 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198-7400
Organization Office of Healthcare Ethics, Nebraska Medicine
Phone (402) 552-3647
Email jadahlke@nebraskamed.com
Status There are two reasons Nebraska is non-conforming. First, although there are pilot programs in place, there is no agreement among leaders on a single form to use within the state. Statewide form uniformity and consistency is critical for the portability of the document throughout the state, as well as to adopt EMS protocols that allow for implementation of POLST form orders. Second, some of the pilots are using forms that adopt many POLST-like characteristics but are not medical orders. These forms may cause confusion when presented outside of Nebraska and will likely not allow for patient treatment wishes to be followed during a medical crisis outside the state.
Program name POLST - Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
Started on 2005
Legislative
Information
2018 Letter to Nebraska explaining nonconformity to National POLST
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Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State Montana
Program Contact Kathryn Borgenicht, MD Medical Director KBorgenicht@bozemanhealth.org
Address 937 Highland Boulevard, Suite 5410
Bozeman, MT 59715
Organization Bozeman Deaconess Palliative Care
Phone (406) 414-2400
Email KBorgenicht@bozemanhealth.org
Program name POLST - Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
Program website http://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/med/pol
Started on 2010
Endorsed since October 27, 2011
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Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State Missouri
Program Contact Matthew Pjecha Operations Specialist TPOPP@practicalbioethics.org
Address 1111 Main Street, Suite 500
Kansas City, MO 64105
Organization Kansas-Missouri TPOPP Coalition | Center for Practical Bioethics
Phone (816) 979-1366
Email TPOPP@practicalbioethics.org
Program name TPOPP - Transportable Physician Orders for Patient Preferences
Program website https://practicalbioethics.org/programs/transportable-physician-orders-for-patient-preferences
Started on 2008
Endorsed since December 16, 2016
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Status: Unaffiliated.
State Mississippi
Program Contact LaDarion Ammons, JD ladarion@jmhughesgroup.com
Address 200 North Congress St.
Jackson, MS 39209
Organization Louisiana Mississippi Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (LMHPCO)
Phone (601) 750-0791
Email ladarion@jmhughesgroup.com
Program name MPOST - Mississippi Physician Orders for Sustaining Treatment
Program website https://www.lmhpco.org/advance-care-planning
Started on 2014
Legislative
Information
2014 HB 1014 Mississippi Physician Order for Sustaining Treatment (POST) Act 
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Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State Minnesota
Program Contact Thaddeus Mason Pope, JD, PhD Director, Health Law Institute | Professor of Law, Mitchell Hamline School of Law Thaddeus.Pope@mitchellhamline.edu
Address 875 Summit Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55105
Organization Mitchell Hamline School of Law
Phone (651) 695-7661
Email Thaddeus.Pope@mitchellhamline.edu
Program Contact Victor M. Sandler, MD Medical Director, Fairview Home Care and Hospice | Co-Chair, UMMC Bioethics Committee | President, Minnesota Physicians for Hospice and Palliative Care VSandle1@Fairview.org
Address 2450 26th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55406
Organization Fairview Home Care and Hospice
Phone (612) 728-2459
Email VSandle1@Fairview.org
Social Media Facebook Twitter
Program name POLST - Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
Program website http://www.mnmed.org/advocacy/improving-health-of-minnesotans/POLST-Communications
Started on 2009
Endorsed since November 7, 2018
« Back to Map
Status: Active.
State Michigan
Program Contact Stephanie Van Slyke, BA, RN Collaborative Care Coordinator; Ethics Services SVANSLYKE@mhc.net
Address Munson Medical Center
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone (231) 935-7277
Email SVANSLYKE@mhc.net
Program Contact Karen Smith, LMSW, Ph.D., HEC-C Director of Ethics Integration Ksmith67@hfhs.org
Organization Henry Ford Hospital & Health System
Phone (313) 916-4401
Email Ksmith67@hfhs.org
Program name MI-POST - Michigan Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment
Started on 2011
« Back to Map
Status: Active.
State Massachusetts
Program Contact Kathryn Downes Director of Policy kathryn.g.downes@state.ma.us
Address Executive Office of Elder Affairs
1 Ashburton Place
5th Floor
Boston, MA, 02108
Organization Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs
Phone (617) 727-7750
Email kathryn.g.downes@state.ma.us
Status In February 2020, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Department of Public Health, and Executive Office of Elder Affairs received the recommendation from the Massachusetts MOLST Advisory Subcommittee to adopt the national POLST form. As a result, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is in the process of developing a multi-year plan to move from MOLST to POLST, which would include consideration for interoperability with electronic health records as well as access to information across the care continuum outside of health care or long-term care institutions.
Program name MOLST - Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
Program website http://molst-ma.org/
Started on 2010
Legislative
Information
Letter of intent of Massachusetts MOLST to conform with National POLST standards (PDF)
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Status: Unaffiliated.
State Maryland
Program Contact Tricia Tomsko Nay, MD, CMD, CHCQM, FAAFP, FAIHQ, FAAHPM Medical Director, Office of Health Care Quality tricia.nay@maryland.gov
Address 55 Wade Avenue, Room 246
Catonsville, MD 21228
Organization Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Phone (410) 402-8055
Fax (410) 402-8211
Email tricia.nay@maryland.gov
Program Contact Paul J. Ballard Assistant Attorney General | Counsel for Health Decisions Policy and the Office of Health Care Quality
Address 300 West Preston Street, Suite 302
Baltimore, MD 21201
Organization Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Phone (410) 767-6918
Fax (410) 333-7894
Status Maryland Legislation that went into effect in 2013 mandates the completion of POLST Paradigm Forms for certain patients. The Maryland MOLST Program violates the tenet of POLST paradigm that completion of a POLST Form is always voluntary.
Program name MOLST - Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
Program website http://marylandmolst.org/index.html
Legislative
Information
2011 HB 82 Instructions for Use: Medical Orders for Life–Sustaining Treatment 2013 Letter explaining Maryland nonconformity with National POLST
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Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State Maine
Program Contact Kandyce Powell Executive Director kpowell@mainehospicecouncil.org
Address PO Box 2239
295 Water Street, Suite 303
Augusta, ME 04338-2239
Organization Maine Hospice Council and Center for End-of-Life Care
Phone (207) 626-0651
Fax (207) 622-1274
Email kpowell@mainehospicecouncil.org
Program name POLST - Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
Program website http://mainehospicecouncil.org/index.php/home/polst-physician-orders-for-life-sustaining-treatment/
Started on 2008
Endorsed since July 23, 2015
« Back to Map
Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State Louisiana
Program Contact Monique Tyler mtyler@lhcqf.org
Address 8550 United Plaza Boulevard, Suite 500
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Organization Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum
Phone (225) 300-4825
Fax (225) 334-9847
Email mtyler@lhcqf.org
Program name LaPOST - Louisiana Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment
Program website http://www.lhcqf.org/lapost
Started on 2011
Endorsed since July 26, 2012
Legislative
Information
2016 SB 360 Reenacted: Louisiana Physician Order for Scope of Treatment 2010 HB 1485 Established: Louisiana Physician Order for Scope of Treatment
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Status: Active.
State Kentucky
Program Contact Salli Whisman, MD Medical Director swhisman@hospicebg.org
Organization Hospice of the Bluegrass
Email swhisman@hospicebg.org
Program Contact Christian Davis Furman, MD, MSPH, AGSF Vice Chair, Geriatric Medicine | Professor, Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, University of Louisville christian.furman@louisville.edu
Phone (502) 588-4260
Email christian.furman@louisville.edu
Social Media Facebook
Program name MOST - Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment
Program website http://www.kymost.org
Started on 2010
Legislative
Information
2015 SB 77 Permits Completion of a Medical Order for Scope of Treatment
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Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State Kansas
Program Contact Matthew Pjecha Operations Specialist TPOPP@practicalbioethics.org
Address 1111 Main Street, Suite 500
Kansas City, MO 64105
Organization Kansas-Missouri TPOPP Coalition | Center for Practical Bioethics
Phone (816) 979-1366
Email TPOPP@practicalbioethics.org
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Program name TPOPP - Transportable Physician Orders for Patient Preferences
Program website https://practicalbioethics.org/programs/transportable-physician-orders-for-patient-preferences
Started on 2008
Endorsed since December 16, 2016
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Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State Iowa
Program Contact Kady Reese, MPH Director, Physician, Patient & Clinical Engagement kreese@iowamedical.org
Address 515 E. Locust St., Ste. 400
Des Moines, IA 50309
Organization Iowa Medical Society
Phone (515) 421-4781
Email kreese@iowamedical.org
Program Contact Stephanie Anderson, DNP, RN Director, Consultation and Education Services sanderson@respectingchoices.org
Address Cedar Rapids, IA
Email sanderson@respectingchoices.org
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Program name IPOST - Iowa Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment
Program website http://www.ihconline.org/aspx/initiatives/ipost.aspx
Started on 2006
Endorsed since January 22, 2015
Legislative
Information
2012 HF 2165 Establishes Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment 
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Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State Indiana
Program Contact David Mandelbaum, MD, FACS david.mandelbaum@franciscanalliance.org
Email david.mandelbaum@franciscanalliance.org
Program name POST - Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment
Program website http://www.indianapost.org/
Started on 2013
Endorsed since May 18, 2017
Legislative
Information
2013 HB 1182 Physician Order for Scope of Treatment  2018 HB 1119 An Act to Amend the Indiana Health Code 2018 Overview of HB1119
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Status: Active.
State Illinois
Program Contact Julie Goldstein, MD Section Chief, Clinical Ethics and Palliative Medicine | Medical Director, Palliative Care Consultation Service POLSTillinois@gmail.com
Address 836 West Wellington Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
Organization Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
Phone (855) 765-7845
Email POLSTillinois@gmail.com
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Program name POLST - Practitioner Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
Program website http://www.polstil.org/
Started on 2010
Legislative
Information
2015 SB 1466 "DNR" Removed from IL POLST Form Title 2014 SB 3076 IL POLST Legislation 2013.08.05 Letter to Illinois DPH POLST Form
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Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State Idaho
Program Contact Rick Bassett, MSN, RN, APRN, ACNS-BC, CCRN Cardiovascular Clinical Nurse Specialist admin@ihcca.org
Address 1116 S. Vista #393
Boise, ID 83705
Organization Idaho Health Continuum of Care Alliance
Phone (208) 866-6360
Email admin@ihcca.org
Program name POST - Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment
Program website http://ihcca.org
Registry website https://sos.idaho.gov/post-form/
Started on 2007
Endorsed since January 27, 2011
Legislative
Information
2007 39-4512A Establishes Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST) 2006 Establishes Health Care Directive Registry (not explicit in legislation but registry includes POST forms)  
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Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State Hawaii
Program Contact Jeannette Koijane, MPH Executive Director jkoijane@kokuamau.org
Address PO Box 62155
Honolulu, HI 96839
Organization Kokua Mau - A Movement to Improve Care
Phone (808) 585-9977
Email jkoijane@kokuamau.org
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Program name POLST - Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
Program website http://www.kokuamau.org/
Started on 2009
Endorsed since October 22, 2009
Legislative
Information
2014 HB 2052 Revised Statue: Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment 2009 HB 1379 Establishes HI Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment  
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Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State Georgia
Program Contact Paula Sanders admin@ghpco.org
Address 950 Eagle’s Landing Pkwy
Suite 622
Stockbridge, GA 30281
Organization Georgia POLST Collaborative
Phone (404) 323-9397 office / (678) 613-8167 cell
Email admin@ghpco.org
Program Contact Richard W. Cohen, MD rwcmd@mindspring.com
Address 158 Adair St
Decatur, GA 30030
Organization Georgia POLST Collaborative
Phone (404) 217-0000
Email rwcmd@mindspring.com
Program name POLST - Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment
Program website http://www.gapolst.org/
Started on 2012
Endorsed since April 25, 2013
Legislative
Information
2015 SB 109 Clarify Use and Effectiveness of Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment Forms
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Status: Active.
State Florida
Program Contact Ian L. Cordes, MBA, NHA Executive Director icordes@bellsouth.net
Address 400 Executive Center Drive, Suite 208
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
Organization The Florida Society For Post-Acute And Long-Term Care Medicine
Phone (561) 689-6321
Email icordes@bellsouth.net
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Program name POLST - Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
Program website http://www.polstfl.org
Started on 2003
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Status: Active.
State Delaware
Program Contact John Goodill, MD Director, Palliative Medicine Education and Outreach jgoodill@christianacare.org
Address 4745 Ogletown–Stanton Road
Newark, DE 19718
Organization Christiana Care Health System
Phone (302) 733-4186
Email jgoodill@christianacare.org
Program name DMOST - Delaware Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment
Program website http://delawaremost.org/
Registry website http://DHIN.org
Started on 2010
Legislative
Information
2015 HB 64 Authorizes Use of Delaware Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment
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Status: Unaffiliated.
State Connecticut
Program Contact Barbara Cass Branch Chief, Health Care Quality and Safety barbara.cass@ct.gov
Organization State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health
Phone (860) 509-7400
Email barbara.cass@ct.gov
Status The form lacks the structure of the majority of other POLST Programs, which increases the likelihood that the form will not be honored outside Connecticut; this is especially problematic since the goal of POLST is to promote portable medical orders that help ensure patient treatment wishes are followed, regardless of where they are during a medical crisis. Additionally the Connecticut form requires a witness signature which blurs the line between medical orders and legal documents like advance directives.
Program name MOLST - Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment
Program website http://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Medical-Orders-for-Life-Sustaining-Treatment-MOLST/MOLST
Started on 2012
Legislative
Information
2018.04.11 Letter to Connecticut Department of Public Health
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Status: Mature.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State California
Program Contact Judy Thomas, JD CEO info@capolst.org
Address 2530 River Plaza Drive, Ste. 110
Sacramento, CA 95833
Organization Coalition for Compassionate Care of California
Phone (916) 489-2222
Fax (888) 789-9475
Email info@capolst.org
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Program name POLST - Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
Program website http://www.capolst.org/
Started on 2007
Endorsed since January 22, 2009
Mature since April 25, 2016
Legislative
Information
2008 AB 3000 Establishes the CA Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Form 2015 SB 19 CA Electronic POLST Registry Pilot 2015 AB 637 CA NPs and PAs can sign POLST Forms 
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Status: Endorsed.
NOTE: Please search for state-specific POLST forms/resources in our Resource Library.
State Colorado
Program Contact Alissa Schramm, MS alissa@CompassCaresForSeniors.com
Address 2808 Vrain Street
Denver, CO 80212
Organization Compass Elder Care Specialists, Inc.
Phone (720) 314-0871
Email alissa@CompassCaresForSeniors.com
Program Contact Hillary Lum, MD, PhD hillary.lum@ucdenver.edu
Address 12631 E 17th Avenue
Aurora, CO 80045
Organization University of Colorado School of Medicine
Phone (303) 724-1911
Email hillary.lum@ucdenver.edu
Program Contact Kari Degerness, MBA, LNHA Director of Health Care Programs info@civhc.org
Address 950 S. Cherry St., Suite 208
Denver, CO 80246
Organization Center for Improving Value in Health Care
Phone (720) 583-2095
Fax (720) 549-9189
Email info@civhc.org
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Program name MOST - Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment
Program website https://www.civhc.org/programs-and-services/most-program/
Started on 2005
Endorsed since January 27, 2011
Legislative
Information
2019 SB 19-073 Statewide System for Advance Health Care Directives 2016 Directives Concerning Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment 2013 HB 13-1202 Counseling by Medicaid Providers for MOST 2010 HB 10-1122 Medical Orders Determining the Scope of Treatment an Adult Wishes to Receive under Certain Circumstances
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Status: Active.
State Arkansas
Program Contact Masil George, MD ARPOLST@hpcaa.org
Address 4301 West Markham Slot 748
Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone (501) 766-8435
Email ARPOLST@hpcaa.org
Social Media Facebook
Program name POLST - Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment
Started on 2017
Legislative
Information
2017 SB356 To create the Arkansas Physician Order For Life-Sustaining Treatment Act; and to Provide for the Use of a Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment Form.
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Status: Active.
State Alaska
Program Contact Todd McDowell EMS Manager todd.mcdowell@alaska.gov
Address PO Box 110616
Juneau, AK 99811-0616
Organization State of Alaska, Department of Health and Social Services/Division of Public Health/Section of Rural and Community Health Systems/EMS Unit
Phone (907) 465-8634
Email todd.mcdowell@alaska.gov
Program name MOLST - Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
Started on 2015
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Status: Active.
State Alabama
Program Contact Mary Ann Crow RN, MSN, APN, CCNS, CCRN Executive Director crowmaryann213@outlook.com
Address 213 Mayfield Lane Northeast
Jacksonville, AL 36265
Organization Alabama Coalition for Advanced Care Planning
Phone (256) 453-2260
Fax (256) 435-8086
Email crowmaryann213@outlook.com
Program name Alabama Coalition for Advanced Care Planning
Started on 2014
Legislative
Information
2016 SB 138 HCPs to Accept a Physician's DNR Order 2018 HB194 Pediatric Palliative and End of Life Care for terminally ill minors 2018 HB 202 Guidance for schools with regard to terminally ill minors
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Additional maps

Program Designations
Level of POLST Use for Each State
State POLST Registry Information
Adoption of National Form
Pediatric POLST Map

Additional resources

Download POLST Handout
State laws & regulations grid
State laws grid (single sheet)
POLST Legislative Guide
SIgnature Requirements

Levels of Recognition


POLST exists at some level in 50 states and Washington DC: Existing is a spectrum from just having legislation passed, to implementing POLST with regional pilots, to having implemented POLST so it is standard of care within that state. While we have come a long way since the first POLST form use in 1994, we still have a long way to go before POLST is standard of care and available across the country.

Read more about National POLST’s levels of recognition for POLST Programs

Names of POLST Programs

In 2017, National POLST started defining the term “POLST” as a “portable medical order” primarily because what the acronym stood for, physician orders for life-sustaining treatment, no longer supported the POLST concept:

  • Many have thought the term “life-sustaining treatment” is value-laden language;
  • National POLST promotes a team focused approach to the POLST process (see #6) and using the term “physician” is too narrow and ignores the other providers involved in the POLST process; and
  • More than just “physicians” can sign a POLST form (see signature document).

POLST Programs choose their own names. The list includes:

  • POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment)
  • POST (Provider Orders for Scope of Treatment)
  • MOLST (Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment)
  • MOST (Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment)
  • TPOPP (Transportable Physician Orders for Patient Preference)
  • COLST (Clinician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment)
  • DMOST (Delaware Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment)
  • IPOST (Iowa Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment)
  • TOPP (Transportable Orders for Patient Preferences)
  • LaPOST (Louisiana Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment)
  • OkPOLST (Oklahoma Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment)
  • PAPOLST (Pennsylvania Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment)
  • WyoPOLST (Wyoming Providers Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment)
  • SAPO (State Authorized Portable Orders)
  • SMOST (Summary of Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment)

For simplicity, “POLST” is commonly used when referring to POLST forms or POLST programs in general.

Learn more about the POLST program in your state by clicking on that state in the map above.

Contact Us

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  • Washington DC 20002
  • (202) 780-8352
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