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.

If a hospital refuses to honor a valid medical power of attorney, they are acting illegally and could potentially face legal consequences. A properly executed medical power of attorney is a legally binding document that healthcare providers are required to respect under state and federal laws. Refusing to acknowledge a valid medical power of attorney could be grounds for a lawsuit against the hospital for violating patient rights.

However, it’s important to ensure that your medical power of attorney is indeed valid and meets all legal requirements in your state. This typically includes having the document properly signed, witnessed, and in some cases notarized. If there are any deficiencies in how the document was executed, the hospital may have legitimate grounds for not accepting it.

If you believe your medical power of attorney is valid and the hospital is still refusing to honor it, you may have grounds for legal action. In such cases, it’s advisable to consult with an attorney who specializes in healthcare law or elder law to review your specific situation and advise on the best course of action.

It’s worth noting that many hospitals have their own medical power of attorney forms that they prefer to use. While these forms don’t invalidate your existing document, filling out the hospital’s form can often save time and prevent confusion, especially in emergency situations. It is generally advisable to complete the hospital’s form if requested, as long as it doesn’t contradict your existing medical power of attorney. This cooperative approach can help ensure your wishes are respected while minimizing potential conflicts with healthcare providers.

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.