What Is a Medical Power of Attorney?

Depending on what your needs are, there are several powers of attorney options you may choose from. One of these options is the medical power of attorney. Continue reading to learn more about the medical power of attorney and how one of the experienced Butler County power of attorney lawyers at Heritage Elder Law & Estate Planning, LLC can help you in drafting one.

What is a medical power of attorney in Pennsylvania?

When you establish a medical power of attorney, you are essentially appointing an individual to make medical decisions on your behalf in the unfortunate event that you no longer have the ability to do so yourself. The individual whom you trust with this responsibility is known as your agent. A medical power of attorney is also commonly known as a health care power of attorney, a health care directive, a health care proxy, or a health care agent.

Importantly, you are allowed to make the terms and conditions of your medical power of attorney as specific as possible. For example, you may specify that you only want your agent to make health-related decisions when it comes to your required medical treatments. In addition, you may include a specification on which personal care management and personal care assistance you prefer. Or, you may give them clearance to make all health-related decisions that may arise.

Who is allowed to be my agent in Pennsylvania?

While you may have a lot of liberty when it comes to what you may include in your power of attorney, the same may not apply to who you may assign as your agent. That is, the state of Pennsylvania holds the following exclusions when it comes to appointing agents:

• Your agent cannot be your physician or health care provider.
• Your agent cannot be an employee of your physician or health care provider.
• Your agent cannot be your residential health care provider (i.e., if you live in a nursing home).
• Your agent cannot be an employee of your residential health care provider.

Though, if an employee of your physician, health care provider, or residential health care provider is also your relative, then there may be an exception. You should speak with your power of attorney lawyer about this possibility.

Once you decide on your agent, you may proceed forward with establishing your medical power of attorney. At this time, you must ensure that there are two witnesses and a notary present. Otherwise, it may not be considered valid in the state of Pennsylvania.

If you are ready and willing to get started on drafting your medical power of attorney, then you must employ one of the skilled Butler County estate planning attorneys today. We look forward to working alongside you.