Assigning medical power of attorney is something that many people don’t think about unless they will be going into the hospital for surgery or they see that there is some other risk. However, for those who are looking at estate planning, assigning medical power of attorney can create an additional level of peace of mind, an assurance that if they are unable to express their wishes on their own, those wishes will still be carried out.
When you assign medical power of attorney, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Medical power of attorney goes into effect as soon as the document is executed and is effective indefinitely unless otherwise determined. The agent will no longer be the one making decisions if there is a termination date or when you are able to make the decisions for yourself again.
- In order for your agent to exercise medical power of attorney, your attending physician must certify in writing that you are not competent to make decisions for yourself.
- If you object, even if you are not competent, care cannot be administered or withheld. Additionally, your agent can not consent to psychosurgery, abortion, the withholding of comfort measures or commitment to a psychiatric institution.
In addition to assigning medical power of attorney, there are a number of other advanced health care directives that should be considered.
Living Wills
A living will can be as general or as specific as you would like it to be. A living will allows you to forbid treatment such as life support measures and even CPR. For those who are looking into more specific directives, a living will can address whether or not you wish to have antibiotics administered, to receive tube feedings, and your wishes relating to pain relief.
If organ donation is something that you wish to consider, your wishes should also be stated in this documentation.
Durable Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy
Durable power of attorney and the assignment of health care proxy allow you to assign an agent who will be able to make health care decisions and to request or refuse treatment on your behalf.
You must log in to post a comment.