The Medical Order for Scope of Treatment (MOST) form is a legal document that helps guide emergency medical care for patients who are seriously ill or medically frail. It outlines the specific types of treatment a patient wants—or does not want—if they are unable to speak for themselves during a medical emergency.

Unlike a general advance directive, the MOST form is designed to be followed by EMS and other health care providers in the field. It must be signed by both the patient (or their health care surrogate) and a physician to be valid.

For EMS to honor the MOST form, the original copy—printed on bright pink paper—should be present and clearly visible at the time of the call. Without it, EMS is required to provide full life-saving interventions.

This form does not replace other legal documents like a living will, but it works alongside them to ensure a patient’s wishes are respected in real time during an emergency.