Question 1

What is Medical Aid in Dying?

Accepted Answer

Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) is a legal, voluntary practice allowing terminally ill, mentally capable adults with six months or less to live to self-administer prescribed medication to end their lives peacefully. In New York State, the law authorizing Medical Aid in Dying was signed on February 6, 2026, and will go into effect on August 5, 2026.

Medical aid in dying empowers the dying person, honors their autonomy, and allows them to choose the time, date, and manner of their death.

Question 2

Who is eligible for Medical Aid in Dying?

Accepted Answer

In New York State, a person must:
Be older than 18 years old.
Have a terminal illness, and a life expectancy of six months or less.
Possess the ability to ingest the medication orally, rectally, or via feeding tube.
Be of full mental capacity to understand their decision.

Question 3

Do I have to be terminally ill to use Medical Aid in Dying?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Two physicians must certify that you have less than six months left to live if your disease follows its normal progression. Medical aid in dying  is NOT legal for issues of chronic pain, mental illness, or depression in the United States. If you are suffering from chronic pain or psychiatric illness, the care coordinators at Quiĕtus may be able to help you identify appropriate resources and support for your situation.

Question 4

How is medical aid in dying  different from suicide or euthanasia?

Accepted Answer

Medical aid in dying in the US is only available for people who are terminally ill: two physicians certify that they have less than six months to live if their disease follows its normal progression. Medical aid in dying differs from suicide legally, medically, and conceptually - the intent of medical aid in dying is not self-harm or self-destruction in a violent manner. Euthanasia implies that a third party administers a medication which ends a person’s life. Euthanasia is not legal in the US. With medical aid in dying, the individual must be able to ingest the medication themselves, or else push a plunger to administer it rectally or via a feeding tube.

Question 5

What's involved in medical aid in dying?

Accepted Answer

When you contact Quiĕtus, our care coordinators will meet with you and your family to understand your situation and explain the aid in dying process in plain language. Quiĕtus will help you connect with an independent attending physician, who will conduct a formal medical assessment and certify your eligibility. A second independent consulting physician will also confirm your eligibility. A psychological assessment by an independent licensed psychologist or psychiatrist is required by NY law to verify that you are of full mental capacity and have not been coerced.
 
There is a series of required oral and written requests under NY law, including a verbal request for medical aid in dying recorded by audio or video. Quiĕtus will guide you through each of these steps and help manage the required documentation.
 
If approved, your attending physician will write a prescription for aid in dying medication. There is a mandatory 5-day waiting period before the pharmacy may dispense it. Quiĕtus will coordinate pharmacy arrangements. You have the right to change your mind at any time. Quiĕtus will also help your family with arrangements for removal and cremation/burial after the death.

Question 6

What is Voluntary Stopping of Eating and Drinking (VSED)?

Accepted Answer

VSED is when a terminally ill, mentally capable individual decides to control their own dying by making a conscious decision to refuse food and fluid of any kind, including artificial nutrition and/or hydration, in order to advance the time of their death. With the right support, a determined and well-informed individual can comfortably choose the end-of-life option of VSED.

Question 7

What if I change my mind?

Accepted Answer

You can change your mind at any point in this process. The fundamental idea of medical aid in dying is to give terminally ill people ultimate control over their own lives and deaths. We should all have this right as human beings, and it is completely up to you whether you exercise this right or not.

Question 8

What care coordination services does Quiĕtus provide?

Accepted Answer

Quiĕtus is a medical aid in dying care coordination service. We help terminally ill New Yorkers navigate the medical aid in dying process from first inquiry through bereavement. Our services include: plain-language education about the NY Medical Aid in Dying Act; connection with independent licensed attending and consulting physicians; coordination of required medical and psychological evaluations; administrative support for documentation and written requests; pharmacy coordination; preparation support for patients and families; and bereavement follow-up. All clinical services are provided by independent licensed clinicians who are not employed by Quiĕtus. Our care coordinators are available to answer questions and provide guidance throughout the process.

Question 9

How do you work with hospice?

Accepted Answer

Hospice provides essential comfort and dignity for terminally ill individuals and their families. Quiĕtus strongly recommends that all clients pursuing medical aid in dying enroll in hospice for symptom management, psychosocial, spiritual, and bereavement support. Because most hospices do not offer support for medical aid in dying, our care coordination team works closely with your hospice program so that all of your needs, — for both medical aid in dying and day-to-day quality of life — are fully addressed.

Question 10

What is your service area?

Accepted Answer

Quietus affiliated providers cover the NYC metropolitan area, Westchester and Nassau counties, as well as the Hudson Valley. If you live in another region within New York State, please reach out to discuss your particular situation.

Question 11

Do you or your affiliated clinicians accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

Some insurance plans may cover the cost of the aid in dying medications. Quiĕtus's care coordination services are private-pay only, and a sliding scale is available for clients who demonstrate financial need. Clinical services provided by independent attending physicians and other licensed clinicians are billed separately and may have their own fee arrangements. Please contact us to discuss your particular situation.

Question 12

What if I cannot afford care?

Accepted Answer

Please contact us. We are developing the Quiĕtus Access Fund to help cover the cost of care for patients facing financial barriers. Cost should never be the reason someone does not reach out.

Question 13

Why should I use Quiĕtus?

Accepted Answer

Navigating Medical Aid in Dying in New York is complex. The law has specific eligibility requirements, documentation requirements, waiting periods, and procedures that can be overwhelming — especially for someone who is already seriously ill. Quiĕtus's care coordinators have deep expertise in end-of-life care and the NY Medical Aid in Dying Act, and are dedicated to making this process as smooth and dignified as possible. We handle the logistics so that you and your family can focus on what matters most. We maintain a vetted panel of experienced independent physicians and other clinicians who are knowledgeable in medical aid in dying, so you don't have to search for a willing provider on your own.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Clear Answers When You Need Them

What is Medical Aid in Dying?

Who is eligible for Medical Aid in Dying?

Do I have to be terminally ill to use Medical Aid in Dying?

How is medical aid in dying different from suicide or euthanasia?

What's involved in medical aid in dying?

What is Voluntary Stopping of Eating and Drinking (VSED)?

What if I change my mind?

What care coordination services does Quiĕtus provide?

How do you work with hospice?

What is your service area?

Do you or your affiliated clinicians accept insurance?

What if I cannot afford care?

Why should I use Quiĕtus?

Still Have Questions?

Every situation is unique, and not every question can be answered on a page. If you would like to discuss your circumstances, our team is here to listen, provide clarity, and help you understand your options with compassion and respect.

SERVING NEW YORK STATE

Quiĕtus Management LLC is a care coordination service.

The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice.

© 2026 Quiĕtus Management LLC. All rights reserved

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Clear Answers When You Need Them

What is Medical Aid in Dying?

Who is eligible for Medical Aid in Dying?

Do I have to be terminally ill to use Medical Aid in Dying?

How is medical aid in dying different from suicide or euthanasia?

What's involved in medical aid in dying?

What is Voluntary Stopping of Eating and Drinking (VSED)?

What if I change my mind?

What care coordination services does Quiĕtus provide?

How do you work with hospice?

What is your service area?

Do you or your affiliated clinicians accept insurance?

What if I cannot afford care?

Why should I use Quiĕtus?

Still Have Questions?

Every situation is unique, and not every question can be answered on a page. If you would like to discuss your circumstances, our team is here to listen, provide clarity, and help you understand your options with compassion and respect.

SERVING NEW YORK STATE

Quiĕtus Management LLC is a care coordination service.

The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice.

© 2026 Quiĕtus Management LLC. All rights reserved Terms of Use | Privacy Policy.

© 2026 Quiĕtus Management LLC. All rights reserved

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy.