Written by Benjamin Kingsley
Do you have questions about or need assistance with a power of attorney? Please click here to email us at contact@legalandme.com.
Do you need a power of attorney form? We make a do-it-yourself power of attorney: finance power of attorney or healthcare power of attorney.
A medical power of attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone as your agent or representative to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated or unable to make those decisions yourself. Here are some key points about a medical power of attorney:
The person you appoint is known as your healthcare agent, healthcare proxy, or patient advocate. This should be someone you trust to make decisions according to your wishes and values. You can appoint a family member, friend, or other trusted individual as your agent.
The medical power of attorney gives your agent the authority to make a variety of healthcare decisions for you, such as choosing medical treatments, approving or denying medical procedures, accessing your medical records, hiring and firing healthcare personnel, and making decisions about life-sustaining measures. The scope of authority can be broad or limited based on your preferences.
A medical power of attorney only takes effect if you become incapacitated and unable to make your own healthcare decisions. As long as you have capacity, you retain the right to make your own choices about medical treatment. The document can specify what qualifies as incapacity, such as being in a coma or persistent vegetative state.
It is important to discuss your wishes, values, and treatment preferences with your appointed agent so they can make decisions aligned with what you would want. You can also include specific instructions in the medical power of attorney document to guide your agent’s decisions.
Do you have questions about or need assistance with a power of attorney? Please click here to email us at contact@legalandme.com.
Do you need a power of attorney form? We make a do-it-yourself power of attorney: finance power of attorney or healthcare power of attorney.