Iowa Candor Law Resources

The Iowa Candor Law establishes a framework for health care providers and facilities to address adverse medical incidents in a way that preserves the provider-patient relationship, allows for open communication, and supports improvements in patient safety. It is designed to benefit patients, their families, clinicians, and health care systems by formalizing a non-adversarial process where there can be open communication about what happened, why it happened, and what can be done to prevent this in the future.

The Iowa Candor Law was the result of an initiative undertaken by the Iowa Medical Society (IMS). COPIC recognizes all of the efforts from IMS to gain support in getting the legislation passed unanimously and its work with other partners across Iowa's health care community.

Below are several resources that provide details about the law, the Candor process, as well as sample templates of required forms.

FOR THOSE INSURED BY COPIC: We will walk you through the Candor process and answer any questions you may have. As with all incidents, COPIC insureds should call a COPIC occurrence specialist nurse during business hours, 8am–5pm (Mountain time), Monday through Friday, by calling (720) 858-6395. The occurrence specialist nurse will evaluate the incident with our internal team to determine if it is appropriate to utilize the Iowa Candor Law.

Iowa Candor Law—General Resources

COPIC Guide for the Iowa Candor Law

COPIC's comprehensive guide to the Iowa Candor law that includes FAQs, an overview of the Candor process, and considerations for health care facilities/hospitals.

Iowa Candor Law (Chapter 135P)

Iowa Candor Law—Consent and Other Forms

General templates of forms used during the Candor process for the health care community to download and use. PLEASE NOTE: All forms use the language required under the Iowa Candor law and any edits should be made and/or reviewed by the proper legal counsel.

Patient Consent to Participate in Candor Open Discussions

Form that needs to be signed by patient and returned to provider to initiate the Candor process.

Patient Acknowledgment of Health Care Provider Advisement and Notice Related to Offer of Compensation

Notifies the patient of requirements outlined in the Iowa Candor law when an offer of compensation is made and the patient is not represented by legal counsel.

Iowa Code § 614.1

A copy of the statute of limitations related to the Iowa Candor law.

Health Care Provider Notice for Candor Open Discussion

Initial form to be completed by provider and sent to patient to notify him/her that the provider would like to utilize the Candor process. This must include the relevant statutes referenced in this notice. Copies of these statutes are available below in this section.

Participation Agreement in a Candor Open Discussion

Form to be completed by others (e.g., family members, patient’s attorney, etc.) who would like to participate in the Candor discussions alongside the patient.

Iowa Candor Law—Resource Toolkit

Templates of suggested language to use for Candor-related communications. These are provided by COPIC to members of the health care community to download and use.

Overview of the Candor Process

A step-by-step outline of the Candor process and requirements associated with it.

Iowa Candor Law FAQs

Common questions and answers about the Iowa Candor law.

Iowa Candor Law Patient FAQs and Program Overview

Designed as a resource for patients to inform them about key details regarding the Iowa Candor law.

Iowa Candor Law Resources

Iowa Candor Law—General Resources

Iowa Candor Law—Consent and Other Forms

Iowa Candor Law—Resource Toolkit

Iowa Candor Law en Español (Spanish versions)