A Medical Power of Attorney (POA) or Durable POA for Health Care is a legal document
that allows you to provide a plan for your medical care when you can no longer manage decisions on your own. The basic purpose of a health care POA is to name a health care agent and list his or her duties.
Name a Health Care Agent
Your health care agent can be anyone you wish. It is best to choose someone who is good at making quick decisions and who will honor the wishes you have enumerated in your Living Will. Your agent must also be able to deal with possible interference from other family members who want to express their own wishes.
List Agent Duties
In your health care POA, you will list the duties that your health care agent will have. If you chose to give your agent comprehensive access to your medical care then he or she may agree to or refuse any medical care associated with your mental or physical health, manage your medical personnel, choose the place you will receive care, visit you when other visitors are restricted, gain access to any of your medical documents, and petition a court on your behalf for medical reasons.
Limit Agent Duties
You may limit your health care agents duties by leaving out things you dont want him or her to do or have access to. When duties are limited, they are often based upon only what is covered in a Living Will. Beware, however, that limiting your agents abilities may mean he or she cannot act in certain medical situations including accessing new advances in medical care and treatment.