First Payment (50% of total)

Tier 1 — Paying it Forward: If you have financial flexibility.

Agreement and Guidelines for a Safe and Peaceful MAID Process

Thank you for contacting our team for assistance. It is a privilege to support you through the process. This agreement provides important information to you as a non-resident of Vermont, to ensure a smooth, peaceful process navigating Vermont’s laws and regulations pertaining to Medical Aid In Dying (MAID), commonly referred to as Act 39. This agreement outlines how we can help you and what we need from you to provide effective support.

The Comfort Project team acknowledges that you are pursuing this process of your own free will. Our team members are not responsible for your decision and will not attempt to influence your decision or actions related to MAID.

What We Offer
The essence of our support is to provide non-medical care for Medical Aid in Dying. We guide you through the steps from initial planning to being present on the day the medication is ingested.

We clarify complex information about MAID eligibility requirements, as well as what is needed to successfully complete the process.
We help you coordinate with your medical team in Vermont: doctors, hospice and pharmacist, all separate and independent entities.
We assist in identifying appropriate local lodging during your visits to Vermont for doctors’ appointments, including a safe location for ingestion.
We provide information to help you coordinate post-mortem arrangements.
We provide a trusted courier to pick up the medication from the pharmacist in Rutland, VT and deliver it to the location of your ingestion.
We meet with you and your family/friends the day before the ingestion to review the standard Vermont Medication Instructions and together we create a plan for ingestion day.
We keep the medical team (doctors and hospice) informed of logistical plans related to your ingestion.
On the day of ingestion, two members of our team are present: we provide compassionate, practical care.
At the request of the client, we may assist with preparation of the medication mixture and provide supportive presence during the ingestion process.
After the death, we notify hospice and the funeral home, which initiates the death certificate process and post-mortem care.
We remain present with family/friends until the ingestion and post-ingestion process is complete.

We provide resources about free grief support groups.

What We Need From You
A peaceful and smooth MAID experience depends on thoughtful preparation and collaboration. By signing this agreement, you acknowledge that you will be responsible for completing the necessary tasks described below.

Provide us with your complete contact information including name, phone number, email address and physical address.
Designate at least one responsible caregiver who will provide their contact information including name, phone number, email address and physical address.
Ensure at least one designated responsible caregiver will be present during your stay in Vermont. This person agrees to assist with logistical coordination, communication with medical providers and hospice, and practical arrangements should you become unable to manage those matters independently. The designated caregiver does not assume medical decision-making authority unless separately authorized by the client through appropriate legal documentation.
Provide us with the schedule of your MAID medical appointments, including informing us of any changes to appointment dates/times.
Keep us informed of your desired ingestion date and notify us of any changes as soon as possible. We request at least two weeks notice whenever possible so we can help you plan and coordinate the necessary arrangements. (Scheduling your desired ingestion date is not entirely under our control).
Communicate any changes in your condition or situation that may impact your MAID plans.
Follow the guidance in the standard Vermont Medication Instructions regarding the protocol for ingestion day.

What We Do Not Offer
The Comfort Project does not assume custodial, medical, guardianship, or long-term care responsibility for the Client during or beyond the terms of this Agreement.

Authorization for Disclosure of Information
With this agreement, you authorize your care provider from the non-medical support team of The Comfort Project to exchange information on your behalf with the following healthcare providers and professionals:

The physicians you work with for pursuing Medical Aid in Dying in Vermont;
The hospice that supports you during your stay in Vermont;
The designated compounding pharmacist in Vermont;
Members of The Comfort Project team.

Scope of Information Disclosure
The information authorized for disclosure is strictly limited to logistical support matters and medical information as it pertains to Medical Aid in Dying and does not grant access to retrieve or request medical records.

Right to Revoke Authorization
You have the right to rescind or revoke this authorization at any time by providing written notice to The Comfort Project. Revocation will not affect any disclosures already made with your consent prior to receiving your written notice.

Waiver of Liability
You, your heirs, successors and assigns agree to waive any and all rights, claims or causes of action that you may have against The Comfort Project, and their team members who assist you. You understand that team members of The Comfort Project are not medical professionals, and therefore, do not provide you with medical advice or medical treatment.

You understand and agree that this Waiver of Liability is a release and discharge of liability to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Services Offered and Payment Structure
Below we describe the concrete services that we offer, yet equally important to us are the less tangible ways that we offer emotional guidance and support for the people who are involved in this extraordinary choice. This process has a profound effect on everyone involved and the comfort we provide is an important part of our work together.

Initial Planning Phase: First Payment (50% of total)
Payment Requirements: Due when you sign and submit this Agreement. The first payment must be received within five days of signing and returning this Agreement. If the payment is not received within five days, we will consider it paused and you will need to re-confirm your participation prior to continuing.

Services Included with First Payment:
You, as a client, or friend, family member will be given access to the Client Portal, a comprehensive compilation of helpful resources we’ve accumulated over the years.

Ongoing communication throughout the process to assist with planning
Coordination with your doctors, hospice providers, and pharmacists in Vermont
Meetings with you and your family or support team (via phone or Zoom) to develop a plan based on your needs, your timeframe, and those of our service providers in Vermont
Coordination of travel and accommodations
Availability for questions as they arise and while you complete the three required doctors’ appointments

Duration of the Initial Planning Phase:
This phase includes the period during which you are pursuing eligibility for Medical Aid in Dying and completing the three, required physician appointments. During this phase, services are provided while you still reside in your home state, and travel to Vermont for physician appointments, with the intention of returning home after each appointment.

Phase 1 services are available for up to twelve (12) months from the date this Agreement begins. When this Agreement expires, a new agreement and full payment are required to continue services.

Final Coordination Phase: Second Payment: (50% of total)
Payment Requirements: Due once the ingestion date is confirmed with us. This payment should be received prior to your traveling to Vermont for the day you ingest the medication.

Services Included with Second Payment:

We keep the medical team (doctors and hospice) informed of logistical plans related to your ingestion.
Together we identify an appropriate and safe location for ingestion.
We continue to work with you to coordinate funeral arrangements.
We meet with you and your family/friends the day before ingestion to review the standard Vermont Medication Instructions; together we create a plan for ingestion day.
Our trusted courier picks up the medication from the pharmacist in Vermont and delivers it to the location of your ingestion.
On the day of ingestion, two members of our team are present: we provide compassionate, practical care; at the family’s request, we mix the medication and monitor ingestion; after death we notify hospice and the funeral home, which initiates the death certificate process.
Coordination with hospice and funeral home for post-mortem care.
We remain present with family/friends until the ingestion and post-ingestion process is complete.
We provide resources about free grief support groups.

Duration of Final Coordination Phase:

This phase begins when you arrive in Vermont for the purpose of remaining in Vermont to complete the Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) process, as coordinated with The Comfort Project, and expires twenty-one (21) days after your arrival.

If you remain in Vermont beyond the twenty-one (21) day Final Coordination Phase, The Comfort Project does not assume responsibility for housing, medical care, custodial care, or daily caregiving during this period. The Comfort Project will coordinate with your designated caregiver(s) or family, in addition to the local hospice provider, for them to assume responsibility for your care.

Any additional coordination or logistical support services requested of The Comfort Project beyond the twenty-one (21) day period may be provided at a rate of $500 per day, are subject to availability, and must be agreed to in writing through an additional agreement.

Term and Termination of Agreement

The term of this Agreement shall commence on the date that we receive your initial payment and shall terminate upon the earliest of the following:

Completion of services on ingestion day;
Expiration of the twelve (12) month Initial Planning Phase (Phase 1)
Expiration of the twenty-one (21) day in-Vermont Final Coordination Phase (Phase 2);
Termination by The Comfort Project due to non-payment, lack of a designated responsible support person, or circumstances outside the scope of this agreement.
Any of the following “Triggering Events”, understood as the following:

Triggering Event A:
Applies in the case of a Change of Mind to pursue Medical Aid in Dying.

We recognize that choosing MAID is a profound and personal decision, and a client always retains the right to change their mind.

Triggering Event B:
Applies in the case of a Natural Death prior to a planned death by Medical Aid.

Given the unpredictable nature and timing of death, we recognize that, while you are pursuing MAID, a natural death is possible.

Triggering Event C:
Applies in the case of Ineligibility for MAID, as determined by medical professionals.

We recognize that eligibility for MAID is not guaranteed and that medical or legal variables may shift unexpectedly. This is extremely rare.

Other unforeseen circumstances that make continuation of services impractical or outside the scope of this Agreement.

Upon termination of the Agreement, by either party, The Comfort Project’s obligations shall cease except for minimal, reasonable administrative wrap-up and minimal, reasonable coordination already underway.

Reimbursement:
The Comfort Project’s fee reflects the significant administrative coordination, professional time, and logistical preparation required to support each client’s Medical Aid in Dying process. The majority of this work occurs prior to a client’s arrival in Vermont and cannot be reassigned once initiated. For this reason, fees are generally non-refundable once coordination has begun.

The Comfort Project will review the circumstances with compassion and discretion, however, refund decisions are made at the sole discretion of The Comfort Project.

Any consideration of reimbursement will take into account:

The stage of coordination completed
The labor already expended by our team
The financial sustainability of our organization

Our intention is always to act with fairness, clarity, and integrity — both toward the families we serve and toward the long-term viability of this work.

Acknowledgements:
By purchasing this agreement, you acknowledge that The Comfort Project provides non-medical, supportive services and that all decisions regarding Medical Aid in Dying are made by you and your licensed healthcare providers. You are agreeing to allow The Comfort Project to perform our services on the terms and conditions provided in this Agreement. You agree to the Waiver of Liability stated above related to your decision to pursue Medical Aid in Dying. This agreement is entered into voluntarily and with full understanding of its contents.

$2,500.00