Terminal Illness & End-of-Life Planning in Chile: 5-Step Official Checklist

1. 1

   Activating Universal Palliative Care and Health Coverage

   • Law No. 21.375 on Universal Palliative Care: In Chile, every person diagnosed with a terminal or serious illness has a statutory right under Law No. 21.375 to receive comprehensive palliative care, whether covered by the National Health Fund (FONASA) or a Private Health Insurance Institution (ISAPRE) [1] [2]. To activate care, the treating physician must issue the clinical certificate confirming a terminal condition or severe non-oncological pain and refer the patient to a hospital-based or home palliative care unit under the standards of the Ministry of Health of Chile (MINSAL) [1] [2].
   • Explicit Health Guarantees (GES / AUGE) and the Ricarte Soto Law: When the diagnosis involves advanced cancer or another condition covered under the GES regime, activating the guarantee ensures pain relief, opioid analgesia, and clinical supplies with zero copayment in the public FONASA network or regulated copayments within the designated ISAPRE provider network [1].
   • Obtaining copies of the medical record: Under Law No. 20.584 on Patient Rights and Duties overseen by the Ministry of Health of Chile (MINSAL), the patient or an authorized representative holding a simple or notarial mandate may request a complete copy of the clinical chart and diagnostic reports to support pension, disability, and legal procedures [1] [2].
2. 2

   Advance Directives, Patient Rights, and Healthcare Proxy

   • Patient autonomy and refusal of disproportionate treatment: Pursuant to Article 16 of Law No. 20.584 and Law No. 21.375, a terminally ill person with intact mental capacity has the right to grant or withhold consent for any medical treatment that would artificially prolong life (avoiding therapeutic obstinacy), without ever losing access to pain management or ordinary palliative care [1] [2].
   • Advance directive declaration and appointment of a healthcare representative: The ill person may sign an advance directive document at the healthcare facility itself (which is incorporated into the medical record) or execute a formal advance directive declaration by public deed before a Chilean Public Notary (Notario Público), designating a trusted family member or representative to act as interlocutor with the clinical team should the patient later lose consciousness or the ability to communicate [2] [3].
3. 3

   Executing Notarial Powers of Attorney and Bank Mandates

   • General or special power of attorney by public deed: While your family member retains full cognitive and legal capacity, it is a priority to execute a general administration mandate (mandato general de administración) or a broad special power of attorney by public deed before a Chilean Public Notary [3]. This instrument authorizes the representative to manage property, appear before public agencies, handle tax filings before the Internal Revenue Service (SII), and collect pensions or social benefits [3] [5].
   • Bedside notarial service at home or in hospital: If the ill person cannot travel due to medical limitations, the family may arrange for a Public Notary to visit the residence or hospital ward in person to verify the principal's lucidity and authorize the signing of the public deed on site [3].
   • Specific banking mandates: Because banks in Chile require explicit authority clauses to withdraw funds, close accounts, or manage investments, families should present an authorized copy of the notarial deed at each bank where the ill person holds accounts or complete the bank's own internal power-of-attorney forms while capacity is intact [3] [5].
4. 4

   Disability Benefits, Dependency Support, and Caregiver Leave

   • Medical leave, SANNA Law, and disability credential (COMPIN): If the ill person is an active worker, the treating physician issues electronic medical leave certificates (licencias médicas) processed through the Preventive Medicine and Disability Commission (COMPIN) of the Ministry of Health of Chile (MINSAL) or the relevant ISAPRE [1]. In addition, families can apply for disability certification in the National Registry of Disability maintained by the Civil Registry and Identification Service (Registro Civil) and obtain a caregiver credential for preferential access under the National Care and Support System [1] [3]. When the ill person is a minor, working parents or legal guardians may access paid leave under the SANNA Law [4].
   • Disability pension and benefits (AFP / IPS): If the illness causes a permanent loss of working capacity, the patient or their representative may file for a disability assessment before the Medical Commissions of the Superintendence of Pensions through their AFP, or apply for the Basic Solidarity Disability Pension and dependency allowances through the Social Prevision Institute (IPS) via ChileAtiende [4].
5. 5

   Preventive Review of Wills, Insurance Beneficiaries, and Estate Records

   • Executing an open or closed will and national registration: Chilean succession law enforces compulsory heirship shares (asignaciones forzosas: half of the estate reserved for forced heirs such as children and the surviving spouse or civil partner, one-quarter for improvements among descendants, ascendants, or the spouse, and one-quarter available for free disposition) [3]. While retaining full mental capacity, your family member may execute an open or closed solemn will before a Public Notary and three witnesses (or five witnesses without a notary), which the notary reports for registration in the National Registry of Wills administered by the Civil Registry and Identification Service (Registro Civil) [3].
   • Reviewing pension beneficiaries and credit or life insurance: Families should verify that marriage, civil union, and birth records are up to date with the Civil Registry and Identification Service (Registro Civil), review registered beneficiaries with the AFP or the Social Prevision Institute (IPS), and check active life insurance, catastrophic health insurance, and mortgage credit life policies (seguro de desgravamen) through the Financial Market Commission (CMF) [3] [4].
   • Organizing property and tax documentation: It is helpful to compile current title certificates (certificados de dominio vigente) issued by the Real Estate Conservator (CBR), tax assessment certificates from the Internal Revenue Service (SII), and bank or pension statements [5]. If assets or future heirs are located outside Chile, Chilean public documents and notarial powers can be apostilled online to ensure international validity [3] [5].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Ministry of Health (MINSAL) - Palliative Care Programs and GES Guarantees — Ministerio de Salud de Chile (MINSAL)
2. [2]
   Law No. 21.375 Establishing Universal Palliative Care and Rights of Persons with Terminal or Serious Illnesses — Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional de Chile (BCN)
3. [3]
   National Registry of Wills, Effective Possessions, and Civil Certificates — Servicio de Registro Civil e Identificación de Chile
4. [4]
   Social Security Procedures and Benefits at the Social Prevision Institute — Instituto de Previsión Social (IPS) / ChileAtiende
5. [5]
   Tax Portal, Real Estate Assessments, and Inheritance Tax Regulations — Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII)