Healthcare proxy

Healthcare proxy is a legal document that allows an individual to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so. This person is known as a healthcare agent or healthcare surrogate. The healthcare proxy is a type of advance directive.

Overview

A healthcare proxy is used when an individual is unable to make or communicate decisions about their medical care. This could be due to a temporary condition, such as being under anesthesia for a surgery, or a more permanent condition, such as being in a coma or having advanced dementia. The healthcare proxy allows the healthcare agent to make decisions that are in the best interest of the individual.

Legal Requirements

The legal requirements for a healthcare proxy vary by jurisdiction. In general, the document must be signed by the individual (known as the principal) and witnessed by two adults. Some jurisdictions also require the document to be notarized. The healthcare agent cannot act as a witness.

Role of the Healthcare Agent

The healthcare agent's role is to make healthcare decisions on behalf of the principal. These decisions should be based on the principal's wishes, as expressed in the healthcare proxy or in other discussions. If the principal's wishes are not known, the healthcare agent should make decisions based on what they believe the principal would want.

Limitations

There are some limitations to what a healthcare agent can do. For example, they cannot make decisions about life-sustaining treatment unless the healthcare proxy specifically allows it. They also cannot make decisions that go against the principal's known wishes.

See Also

• Living will
• Power of attorney
• Advance healthcare directive