Taichung Armed Forces General Hospital

1. The Purpose of the Patient Autonomy Act is to respect patients’ medical autonomy, safeguard their rights to a dignified end of life, and promote harmonious doctor-patient relationships. This act enables individuals to create advance directives, which are legally binding documents concerning end-of-life medical decisions.

2. Individuals aged 20 and older, including those who are married, are eligible subjects, provided they possess full legal capacity.

3. Service Content: If you are concerned about your rights at the end of life, you can establish medical decisions in advance when faced with the following specific clinical conditions:

• Terminal Illness
• Irreversible Coma
• Permanent Vegetative State
• Severe Dementia
• The central competent authority will announce other severe diseases or conditions.

4. Appointment Registration Process at Our Hospital:

• You can register for an appointment through in-person registration, phone registration, or online registration. After you register, a dedicated representative will contact you to schedule a consultation time.
• Phone Registration: After completing your phone registration, a dedicated representative will contact you to schedule a consultation.
  For assistance, please call the service desk at (04) 2393 4191, ext. 525608, available Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 16:00.
  For outpatient registration, please call (04) 2393 4191, ext. 525280, available Monday to Friday from 18:30 to 20:00 and Saturday from 08:30 to 11:30.
• In-Person Registration: After completing your in-person registration, a dedicated staff member will contact you to schedule a consultation.
  To register, please visit the service desk Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Additionally, you can visit the outpatient registration desk Monday through Friday from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM and on Saturday from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
• Online Registration: Visit the National Military Taichung General Hospital website. Navigate to the Medical Guide, then to the Online Application Area, and select the Advance Medical Care Consultation Service. Please complete the Online Application Form and click to submit. A dedicated representative will respond to your phone or email within two business days to arrange a consultation appointment.

5. Consultation Process (Check-in, Consultation, Document Upload):

• A dedicated individual will coordinate the location and time of your consultation. On the day of the consultation, please check in at the designated location at the scheduled time.
• You will participate in a discussion with a physician, nurse, and social worker, along with one designated proxy (if you choose to appoint one; if not, it is not required) and one close relative. At the conclusion of the consultation, please proceed to the registration and payment area to finalize the payment. The session will conclude with all group members signing the “Advance Medical Directive”.
• If you have two witnesses available on the day of your appointment, the hospital will upload the electronic version of the advance medical directive to the National Health Insurance Administration’s (NHIA) website at no cost. Please note that the electronic file uploaded to the NHIA website is the only government-recognized document; paper documents are not valid.If you need to find witnesses to sign the document on a different day, please return to the hospital within three months for a free upload. If you exceed the three-month period, an administrative processing fee will be applied.

6. Friendly Reminder:

• Our hospital charges a consultation fee for advanced medical care services in compliance with regulations established by the Taichung City Health Bureau.
• The “Advance Medical Directive” must be completed in person and witnessed by two individuals who possess full legal capacity. At least one witness must be a close relative, and they cannot serve as the medical proxy, heir, or recipient of the estate or organ donation.
• If you wish to designate a medical proxy, you must complete the “Medical Proxy Appointment Form”.
• A consultation session, accommodating one or two individuals simultaneously, lasts approximately 30 to 60 minutes. Our hospital can schedule 2 to 3 groups during the consultation clinic hours. Please ensure you arrive on time. All participants must be present. If you arrive more than 20 minutes late, the consultation will be canceled, and you will need to reschedule.
• If you anticipate being late, please contact the case manager to confirm the consultation schedule and avoid an unnecessary trip.
• For any questions regarding Medical Care Consultation, please contact the service desk at (04) 2393-4191, ext. 525608.

7. Contact the Consultation Window at Our Hospital:

• Application for Appointment for the Advanced Medical Care Consultation Service: Explanation
• Application for Appointment Consultation Unit: You can apply online, by phone, or in person at Service Desk Window 12.
• Online Appointment Application Method: Visit the National Military Taichung General Hospital website, navigate to the Medical Guide section, select the Online Application Area, and choose the Advance Medical Care Consultation Service. Complete the Online Application Form and click ‘Confirm’ to submit your request. A dedicated representative will respond within two business days to arrange a consultation time.
• Consultation Fee: 3,000 NTD per individual or group, and 4,000 NTD for two individuals or groups.