What is a Health Care Power of Attorney?

Health Care Power of Attorney

A Health Care Power of Attorney allows you to appoint an individual as your "Health Care Attorney-in-Fact." This person would act as your proxy in making health care decisions if you are ever incapacitated.

However, your Health Care Attorney-in-Fact is obligated to abide by the choices you express in your Advance Health Care Directive.

If a situation arose that you have not expressly addressed in your Advance Health Care Directive, your Health Care Attorney-in-Fact would make decisions on your behalf. Accordingly, a Health Care Power of Attorney is a companion document to your Advance Health Care Directive.