What is a Health Care Proxy?

A Health Care Proxy is a legal document specifically designed to allow an individual to designate another person to make medical decisions on their behalf in the event that they are unable to do so themselves. This role is distinct from financial decision-making, which typically falls under powers of attorney that authorize someone to manage financial affairs.

The correct understanding of a Health Care Proxy directly relates to its purpose of ensuring that an individual’s health care preferences are honored when they cannot communicate them due to illness or incapacity. The appointed person can make decisions regarding medical treatments, procedures, and care plans in alignment with the patient's wishes or best interests, as specified in the document.

This concept differs from other options. For instance, a directive for end-of-life care pertains to specific instructions on how a person wants to be treated at the end of their life, but it does not appoint someone to make decisions. Meanwhile, a document for medical decisions could be broader in scope and may not necessarily designate a specific person. Lastly, a contract for medical treatment usually outlines terms between a patient and a provider regarding services but does not address who can make decisions on behalf of a person when they are incapacitated. Hence, identifying that a Health Care Proxy pertains to medical decisions distinguishes it from financial