What is a Health Care Proxy?

• A health care proxy is a legal document that grants someone else, called an agent, the right to make health care decisions for you in the event that you are unable to do so. A proxy may be drafted alone, with the help of a friend or with legal help. Because laws regarding the health care proxy do vary from state to state, the advice of an attorney often proves valuable. A proxy agent can usually be any individual of sound mind over the age of 18. Be sure to choose an agent you trust and discuss your wishes with them.
  
  

What a Health Care Proxy Does

• A health care proxy allows an individual you choose to become your agent and make health care decisions for you. This agent has the right to make decisions on your behalf just as if you were making the decision yourself. This means your agent has the legal right to decide whether or not certain life-saving procedures will be started or continued. These procedures may include things such as the insertion of a feeding tube or being sustained by a ventilator. In some states the proxy also offers some legal protection for the agent acting on your behalf in the event family members disagree with the care choices made.
  
  

What a Health Care Proxy Doesn't Do

• Your right to make your own health care decisions is not affected by a health care proxy. Even after it is in place, a health care proxy goes into effect only if and when a qualified physician declares you unable to make your own health decisions. A health care proxy does not grant your agent access to any of your private medical records or information. You are not at any risk of receiving shoddy care as a result of a health care proxy. Physicians are not allowed to operate as agents under health care proxies in many states. Other states allow physicians to act as agents only if they are not directly involved in the patient's care.
  
  

Advanced Directives

• Health care proxies often include an advance medical directive. This directive allows you to put any specific health care wishes you have in writing. Your physician should follow your written advance medical directive even if your family or proxy agent objects. This directive also allows you to grant your agent access to medical records and other information in the event they are relevant in choosing treatment. The more detailed information you can provide about your health care desires the easier it will be for your physician and agent to honor your wishes.