Duties of a Health Care Proxy or Agent

The terms “proxy,” “agent,” “attorney-in-fact,” “surrogate,” or “representative” all refer to an individual designated by a Living Will or other advance health care directive as the one who will make life-support and other medical decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated and unable to communicate for yourself.

A health care proxy must represent your interests and be able to make informed medical decisions on your behalf. Common duties include: conferring with the medical team and reviewing the medical chart, asking questions and getting explanations, discussing treatment options, requesting consultations and second opinions, consenting to or refusing medical tests or treatments, making life-support decisions, and authorizing transfer to another physician or institution.

One of the most difficult decisions a proxy may be asked to make concerns starting or stopping life-support. Talk to your proxy about different scenarios, your values and your beliefs so that he or she can make the best decision when the time comes.