What is a Health Care Agent?

If an individual becomes incapacitated, it is important that someone have the legal authority to communicate that person's wishes concerning medical treatment. Similar to a power of attorney, a health care agent allows an individual to appoint someone else to act as their agent, but for medical, as opposed to financial, decisions. The health care agent is a document executed by a competent person (the principal) giving another person (the agent) the authority to make health care decisions for the principal if he or she is unable to communicate such decisions. By executing a health care agent, principals ensure that…

Read More »