An individual may appoint a healthcare representative to make medical decisions in the event he or she becomes incapacitated. The individual may specify instructions to be followed by the healthcare representative, who must act in good faith and in the individual’s best interest consistent with the terms of the appointment. In order to honor the best interest of the individual, the person who is appointed as a healthcare representative should be made aware of the philosophies and ideologies of the individual who appointed him or her.
To appoint a valid healthcare representative, a person must write and sign the document, and it must be witnessed by an adult other than the appointed representative. In the event that the person becomes incapacitated, the healthcare representative is the sole determiner of the incapacitated individual’s medical choices.
The appointment may be revoked at any time by notifying the representative verbally or in writing. The authority granted to the representative through an appointment may be revoked by notifying the healthcare provider verbally or in writing.
Appointment of a Healthcare Representative form.