<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 10.14.03.03" title_num="10" subtitle_num="14" chapter_num="03" heading="Requirements of Treating Physicians.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>At any time before, but not more than 5 days after, a treating physician informs a patient of a diagnosis of breast cancer, and before treatment, the treating physician shall give the patient:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The standardized written summary provided by the Department; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An equivalent summary including the requirements under Regulation .02A written in language that the patient understands.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A treating physician may not undertake any of the treatments described in Regulation .02A(1) until a breast cancer patient has been given the written summary described in §A(1) and (2) of this regulation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>A treating physician who provides a patient with the written summary required under these regulations shall have the patient sign a statement provided by the Department acknowledging receipt of the summary and shall have a copy of this signed acknowledgement placed in the patient's medical record which is used by the treating physician.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The requirements under this regulation do not apply if the:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Treating physician certifies in writing in the patient's medical record that one of the treatments for breast cancer described in Regulation .02A(1) occurred within 5 days of the physician informing the patient of the diagnosis; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Treatment within this period of time was necessary to save the life of the patient.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>These regulations should not be interpreted to require a waiting period between diagnosis and treatment.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>This regulation is supplemental and additional to any other requirements established by other laws upon a treating physician and may not be regarded as in derogation or substitution of any requirements now existing upon a treating physician, such as the need to obtain informed consent for treatment.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>