"The hope of this program ... is to build a relationship over the phone, so [the individual] might be comfortable discussing his situation and his goals. Then he'll be empowered to communicate those things with others, including his family and his doctors.... It's paid for by insurers and federal privacy rules permit this for business purposes.... And when these conversations do happen, there's can be another byproduct: reduced costs. Research is finding that when patients fully understand aggressive care, many choose less of it."  MORE >>