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

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.

Yes. Two physicians must certify that you have less than six months left to live if your disease follows its normal progression. MAID 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, Quietus affiliated clinicians may be able to offer meaningful support in other ways.

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. MAID differs from suicide legally, medically, and conceptually- the intent of MAID 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 MAID, the individual must be able to ingest the medication themselves, or else push a plunger to administer it rectally or via a feeding tube.

Your team will meet with you and your loved ones to learn about you, your medical condition, and your wishes and needs. As required by New York State law, there will be a formal assessment by a physician, as well as a psychological assessment to verify that you are of full mental capacity, and that you have not been coerced. A second consulting physician must also confirm your eligibility. There is a series of required oral and written requests, including a verbal request for MAID recorded by audio or video. Your team will work with you at every step to provide thoughtful, supportive care, while ensuring that all legal requirements are met in as minimally burdensome a manner as possible. If you meet all of the criteria and are approved for MAID, you will receive a prescription for medications that will end your life, as well as detailed guidance on how to ingest this medication. Some people receive this prescription but never follow through with the decision to end their lives. People often report feeling relieved to know that they have this option, and that this reduces their feelings of hopelessness. Your team will be available for support at all times, regardless of whether or not you choose to proceed with MAID. If you decide to proceed with MAID, your team will compassionately help you prepare for your death day, as well as provide in-home support for education, support, and preparation, as well as attendance on the day of death. Remember- you have the right to change your mind at any time. We will also help your family with arrangements for removal and cremation/burial of your body after you die.

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.

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

Quietus affiliated clinicians offer palliative care home visits and consultations for patients at all stages of the dying process. Your providers help to maximize quality of life in the present, to plan for the future, and to meet your needs at all stages of illness. Your team is available by phone/video 24 hours a day for additional guidance and support. Please reach out to us for further information.

Hospice provides essential comfort and dignity for terminally ill individuals and their families. We strongly recommend that all those considering Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) enroll in hospice for symptom management, psychosocial, spiritual, and bereavement support. However, most hospices do not provide comprehensive support for MAID. Your team will work closely with your hospice program to make sure that all of your needs, for MAID and for day-to-day quality of life, are met.

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.

Some insurance plans may cover the cost of the MAID medications. The concierge palliative care services are private-pay only, and we do have a sliding scale. If you are in need of our services and cannot afford our fees, we can discuss this with you. Quietus affiliated clinicians hope to offer MAID to all terminally ill patients who desire to elect this option. Please reach out to us to discuss your particular situation.

Quietus affiliated clinicians offer Medical Aid in Dying with the compassion and wisdom that comes from years of clinical expertise. Once you get to know them, you’ll understand.