Health Care Surrogate

The Health Care Surrogacy is a document that allows you to designate a person to make ordinary health care decisions for you if you are unable to do so yourself. The health-care surrogate complements the durable power of attorney. Whereas the latter deals with your assets, the health-care surrogate deals with you.

Ideally, your health-care surrogate should be someone local, who knows your wishes and who can direct your care. A health-care surrogate can check you in and out of hospitals and rehabs, apply for benefits with Medicare or your health insurer, make treatment decisions and end-of-life decisions. Without a health care proxy, your doctor may be required to provide you with medical treatment that you would have refused if you were able to do so.

In general, a health care proxy takes effect only when you require medical treatment and a physician determines that you are unable to communicate your wishes concerning treatment. It is a good idea to take a signed copy of the health-care surrogate to your doctor to have on file (the attorney should have one on file as well). Make sure to provide up to date contact information including cell phone numbers since the surrogate may be called upon in an emergency.