Medical Power of Attorney

Ensure your healthcare wishes are honored by appointing a trusted agent to make medical decisions on your behalf.

What Is a Medical Power of Attorney?

A Medical Power of Attorney (also called a Healthcare Proxy) is a legal document where you name someone you trust—known as your healthcare agent or proxy—to make medical decisions for you if you become unconscious, mentally incapacitated, or otherwise unable to communicate your wishes to doctors.

Medical POA vs. Living Will

These two documents are often confused but serve different primary functions. Ideally, you should have both, or combine them into an Advance Healthcare Directive.

Living Will: Tells doctors exactly what your medical preferences are (e.g., whether you want life support, artificial nutrition, or DNR orders) in terminal situations.
Medical Power of Attorney: Tells doctors who has the authority to make those complex decisions if the situation isn't covered explicitly in your Living Will.

Choosing Your Healthcare Agent

The person you appoint literally holds your life in their hands. When selecting a proxy, consider:

Are they trustworthy and capable of making difficult, emotionally taxing decisions?

Do they fully understand your personal values and religious beliefs regarding end-of-life care?

Will they advocate strongly for you against pressure from other family members or doctors?

Are they geographically close enough to be at the hospital if an emergency occurs?

Have you discussed your wishes with them beforehand (and did they agree to take on the role)?

Note: Almost all states require a Medical Power of Attorney to be either notarized or signed in front of two witnesses. Give copies of the finalized document to your proxy, your primary care physician, and your local hospital.

Draft Your Medical Proxy

Appoint an agent and record your advance directives with a state-specific template.

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