A Power Of Attorney For Health Care

The power of attorney for health care is a document in which you appoint another person (a "health care agent") to make health care decisions for you in the event that you are not capable of making them yourself.

A health care agent can make a wide range of health care decisions for you, such as whether or not you should have an operation, receive certain medications, or be placed on a life support system.

In some areas of health care your health care agent is not allowed to make decisions for you unless you give him or her specific authority in those areas when you complete the form. These areas are admission to long term care facilities, limitations on mental health treatment, health care decisions for pregnant women, pregnancy care and provision of a feeding tube.

Your health care agent will make decisions for you based upon your directions, his or her knowledge about you and your wishes, and his or her opinion about what is best for you.

It is important to choose someone who knows you well and to discuss your treatment preferences with him or her in advance. You can also include specific instructions about the type of treatments you want or do not want, e.g., surgery, when you complete the form.

A power of attorney for health care goes into effect only when two physicians, or a physician and a psychologist, agree in writing that you can no longer understand your treatment options or express your health care choices to others.