This video explains what a Health Care Proxy is and why it’s important to have one. It also explains what a health care agent is and what their responsibilities are.
In this video, we’ll explain what a Health Care Proxy is and why it’s important to have one. We’ll also explain what a health care agent is and what their responsibilities are.
It can be hard to think about the kind of medical care you might want in the future, but thinking about these important decisions now can help make sure you get the care you want.
You can write down instructions for how you want medical decisions to be made if you aren’t able to communicate your wishes yourself. One kind of written instruction is called a Health Care Proxy. It’s a short, simple legal document where you name the person who will make medical decisions for you if you’re ever unable to make them yourself.
This person is called your health care agent. You can choose anyone age 18 or older to be your health care agent, except a member of your care team.
Choosing a health care agent to make medical decisions if you aren’t able to is an important decision that only you can make. No one can pick your health care agent for you, and no one can choose themselves to be your health care agent.
When it comes to naming a health care agent, it’s important to choose someone you trust to follow through with your wishes for medical treatment if you aren’t able to communicate them yourself. Make sure to talk with this person openly and honestly about the medical care you would want, including specific treatments you may or may not want, and why. This will help them understand your wishes.
You can also change your health care agent at any time by updating your Health Care Proxy.
So long as you’re able to make medical decisions for yourself, either by writing or speaking, you will be the one making choices. Your care team will only give your health care agent information about your condition or ask them to make decisions for you if you become unable to make them yourself.
Having a Health Care Proxy is your right, but you don’t have to have one.
If you didn’t create a Health Care Proxy and aren’t able to make medical decisions for yourself, we’ll use the law called the Family Health Care Decisions Act to determine who can make medical decisions for you. This law lists, in order of priority, who will be approached first to make medical decisions for you. Think about whether you would want this person or group of people to speak for you:
- Your legal guardian
- Your spouse
- Your domestic partner
- Your children, age 18 or older. If you have more than one child, they must all agree on what to do.
- Your parent or parents
- Your siblings, age 18 or older. If you have more than one sibling, they must all agree on what to do.
- Your close friend, if no one else is available
We’ll give you information about the Health Care Proxy form during your first visit and if you’re admitted to the hospital. Your healthcare providers may also talk with you about this form during your appointments.
To learn more, visit msk.org/pe and search “health care proxy”. You can also find more helpful resources, including health care proxy forms, in your MSK MyChart account.
If you have any questions, contact the Patient Representative Department at 212-639-7202 or email [email protected]
