Durable power of attorney for health care (DPOA-HC) is a legal document in the United States, and potentially other countries, that allows an individual to make decisions on another individual’s behalf in the event of incapacity. The document establishes a proxy who has the authority to make medical decisions in case the grantor is unable to do so.
Who Is Allowed to Have a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care?
Anyone who is 18 years or older and legally able to enter into a contract is allowed to have a durable power of attorney for health care. In general, a durable power of attorney for health care is granted for potential incapacity resulting from age, illness, or injury.
What Rights and Powers Does the Proxy Have for Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care?
The individual granting the durable power of attorney for healthcare can customize the document with rights and powers they want the proxy to have. The rights and powers generally include medical decisions such as consenting to medical treatments, procedures, and surgeries; access to medical records; and the right to make decisions about end-of-life care.
How Do You Create a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care?
Creating a durable power of attorney for health care should be done with the assistance of a lawyer. The lawyer can help the grantor understand the rights of the proxy, create the document, and make sure it is legally valid. The document can be written for a specific illness, medical treatment, or procedure, or it can be generalized to cover all medical decisions.