health care proxy
A health care proxy is an agent named in a health care declaration to make medical decisions for the person signing the document (the principal ) when he or she is unable to make decisions for himself or herself. A health care declaration is a written legal document that sets out how a person should be cared for in case of an emergency or incapacity . The health care proxy's authority usually includes making medical decisions not mentioned in a health care declaration, authorizing medical and surgical procedures, hiring and firing medical staff to provide treatment, accessing medical records, visiting, etc.
A health care proxy may be known by other names, such as attorney-in-fact , agent, or patient advocate .
[Last reviewed in March of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team ]
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