When dealing with Medicare clients, the question is often asked whether or not they should have a Medical Power of Attorney and when is the best time to get/do one. Depending on where you live, medical POAs might also be called: Power of Attorney for Healthcare, Advance Directive, Advance Healthcare Directive or Medical Power of Attorney Directive. Before we address the benefits of having a Medical Power of Attorney, let’s establish what a MPOA is not…. A Medical Power of Attorney does not give anyone absolute authority to do with you and your estate as they please! Your Will, Financial POA and/or Executor of Estate documents relate to the disposal and/or disbursement of your assets (property, investments, etc.) A MPOA pertains to your health care only.
Sometimes known as a “Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare,” a Medical POA ensures your wishes for medical care are honored even if you are mentally or physically unable to make those wishes known. These decisions could be about treatment options, medication, surgery, end-of-life care, and more. A MPOA is not the same as a Living Will. A “living will” deals with end of life decisions whereas a Medical Power of Attorney deals with life saving measures should you be incapacitated due to illness or injury. Now let’s look at some of the benefits of having a Medical POA…. You’re in charge of your medical decisions unless/until you can no longer make wise ones. As long as you are of sound mind and body, your agent can not jump in and make those decisions for you. In most instances your attending physician has to be the one to determine when you are no longer able to make informed health care decisions and/or to clearly communicate your wishes. Some instances of this would be if you are under anesthesia, had a stroke or other condition that renders you unable to effectively communicate, an accident that leaves you in a coma or have dementia, Alzheimer's or some other illness that impacts your ability to make rational decisions. You can decide in advance the limits or stipulations imposed on your agent (the person you trust to make these decisions for you). BE SPECIFIC when outlining the time your MPOA goes into effect and what authority your agent has. Examples are what medical care you receive, the doctors and facilities you choose to oversee your care, including surgery, medical treatments, medications, and home healthcare; where you live, including assisted living, nursing homes, or residential long-term care and who cares for your everyday needs, such as eating and bathing. Your agent can only make these decisions if you cannot do so yourself, and he/she must follow your wishes when making them. Peace of Mind. We never know when something unexpected can happen. Having a medical power of attorney creates peace of mind for yourself and your loved ones especially in the instance of having major medical procedures or are diagnosed with a degenerative disease. Anytime is the right time to get a Medical POA, but this is especially important for seniors who have difficulty hearing or understanding important life decisions like which Medicare plan(s) to choose, how their medications work and can interact with others and other information that can affect their mental or physical wellbeing. The goal of our blog here at Curtis Insurance of Louisiana has always been to educate and inform and we hope this article is another in our wealth of information provided for you. Until next time, take care and remember…. No one can take your power of choice unless you allow it. Tommy Curtis and Staff Disclaimer: This material has been provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, legal advice. You should consult your own legal advisors before obtaining a Medical POA. Comments are closed.
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Tommy Curtis
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