This letter outlines the rights of residents in nursing homes and other healthcare facilities to be informed of their total health status, the type of care giver or professional that will furnish care, the risks and benefits of proposed care, and treatment options and alternatives. Facilities must provide health information and services in ways that are easy to understand, such as using plain language and offering language assistance services. The physician or other practitioner or professional must inform the resident or their representative in advance of treatment risks and benefits, options, and alternatives, and the resident or their representative has the right to choose the option they prefer. Facilities must also ensure that discussion and documentation of the resident's choices regarding future health care takes place during the development of the initial comprehensive assessment and care plan and periodically thereafter. This letter requires healthcare facilities to ensure that residents are informed of their rights and treatment options and to provide health information in a way that is easily understandable.

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