Medical Health Care Power Of Attorney Vs Advance Directive For Healthcare

A medical or health care power of attorney is a type of advance directive in which you name a person to make decisions for you when you are unable to do so.

Medical health care power of attorney vs advance directive for healthcare.

Both are known in legal terms as advance directives generally the law addresses. An advance directive can also be used to say what your preferences. In some states this directive may also be called a durable power of attorney for health care or a health care proxy. House bill 1175 passed during the 2019 washington state legislative session and effective july 28 2019 expands decision making options for.

A living will or instruction directive alerts medical professionals and your family to the treatments you want to receive or refuse. A health care directive may provide either specific or more general direction as to an individual s health care wishes. Advance directive is the general term that refers to the various documents that could include a living will instruction directive health care proxy or health care power of attorney. This is someone you trust to make health care decisions for you.

Advance directives are legally binding and tell doctors what life extending measures you want taken or not taken if you are unable to communicate. A medical power of attorney and a financial power of attorney are typically created in separate legal documents. Specific health care directives clearly anticipate and give directions relating to treatment for the specific circumstances that exist whereas general health care directives serve as guidelines for future decision making.