Texas Medical Power of Attorney
Do you, your spouse, your parents, or another loved one need a Medical Power of Attorney? I wish there were a simple answer to that question, but like so many things, the answer is . . . maybe.
A Medical Power of Attorney is a critical part of an individual’s incapacity plan and estate plan. The fact is that if you live long enough, there will come a time when you are unable to make your own medical decisions. We all hope that this will not happen to us. Still, as the population ages, more and more people find themselves with diminished capacity. Then you must depend on family and friends to make the appropriate decisions for them.
Sadly, there are instances where the person who comes forward to make decisions may not put what is in your best interests first. Maybe they are not an appropriate person to make decisions for you. Sometimes this can lead to exploitation and abuse. To choose who will make decisions for you, you should consider executing a Texas Medical Power of Attorney.
An important thing to point out is that evaluating and implementing a Medical Power of Attorney requires advanced planning. It is an important legal document with severe effects that may directly impact your healthcare. After consulting with an attorney, it is important to execute a Medical Power of Attorney before needing it. Once the actual need for a power of attorney arises due to incapacity or a medical condition, it is often too late.
What exactly is a Texas Medical Power of Attorney?
Stated, when properly prepared and executed, a Texas Medical Power of Attorney is a written legal document that identifies the person or persons (Agent or Agents) that you (the Principal) have selected to make medical decisions for you if you can’t make medical decisions for yourself.
The typical Power of Attorney will (1) identify the Principal, (2) identify the Agent(s), (3) outline any Restrictions on the Agent’s authority, (4) outline and Limitations of the Power of Attorney, (5) designate the duration of the Power of Attorney, (6) revoke prior Agent Designations, (7) contain a disclosure statement, and (8) may include a HIPAA release.
1. The Principal
The Texas legislature has defined “principal” as an adult who executed the Medical Power of Attorney. Under Texas law, an adult means a person over 18 years of age or a person who has removed the disabilities of a minority. In simple terms, the Principal is the person signing the Medical Power of Attorney. Designating another person to make medical decisions for them.
2. The Agent
Similarly, the Texas legislature has defined “agent” as an adult to whom authority to make health care decisions is under a Medical Power of Attorney. Agents are the trusted individuals you choose and designate to make health care decisions for you if you cannot make them for yourself. Choosing the right person or persons is a crucial decision. The individual selected should be familiar with your wishes. Including any religious values, moral beliefs, or personal beliefs that may affect or impact the medical treatment you wish to receive.
The Agent is charged with the duty to make decisions on your behalf based on the Agent’s understanding of your wishes. If the Agent does not understand your desires, then the Agent is charged with making decisions that she believes to be in your best interest. It is important to name an Agent that is someone you know and trust.
You may name a single individual as Agent; you may name multiple co-Agents to serve together or designate a series of Agents to aid in succession. It is important to discuss the selection of your Agent(s) with the Agent and a licensed Texas attorney.
3. Restrictions
In some cases, it is appropriate to outline and specify conditions that you desire to place on an Agent named in the Medical Power of Attorney. Perhaps there are specific treatments or admissions to facilities that you want to prohibit the agent from authorizing. Or maybe there are personal views that you wish to memorialize in your Power of Attorney. Any restrictions are to be discussed with a licensed Texas attorney so the restrictions will be properly included in your Power of Attorney.
4. Limitations
Similar to the restrictions discussed above, you may wish to outline limits on the decision-making authority of your Agent. Typically, a Power of Attorney includes a statement requiring agents to follow valid Advanced Directives (Living Wills). Also, directing physicians to comply with valid Advanced Directives (Living Wills). Similar to the restrictions section, the limitations can be tailored to your specific wishes.
5. Duration
A power of attorney is typically effective from the date of execution for an indefinite period of time. However, the principal may indicate a specified period of time during which the Power of Attorney is effective and after which the Agent’s authority terminates. Also, a Power of Attorney could be revoked. Revocations are required to an in writing, signed by the principal, or by order of a court with proper jurisdiction.
6. Revocation of Prior Medical Powers of Attorney
A Power of Attorney may contain a statement that specifically revokes previously executed powers of attorney.
7. Disclosure Statement
The disclosure statement generally tracks statutory language, which provides the principal with some important warnings and instructions. It is imperative that a principal and the agent carefully review the disclosure statement. It would help if you asked a Texas attorney any questions regarding the disclosure statement’s implications before signing the Texas Medical Power of Attorney.
8. HIPAA Release
HIPAA stands for “the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.”. The release, typically attached to a Texas Medical Power of Attorney, authorizes your healthcare providers to release information and records protected under HIPAA to your named agents. Like the disclosure statement, it is essential to review the HIPAA release. Then ask a Texas attorney any questions that you may have regarding the implications of such a HIPAA release.
All Texans should consider seeking legal advice and have a Texas Medical Power of Attorney prepared as a part of their overall estate plan. The Texas Medical Power Attorney is beneficial in a variety of situations. An agent can utilize a Texas Medical Power of Attorney to make medical decisions for the principal when the principal cannot make medical decisions for himself. As our population’s life expectancy increases, so will the number of individuals living with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Individuals who lack the ability to make medical decisions for themselves.
Without a valid Medical Power of Attorney, your loved ones may have to resort to more restrictive and more costly alternatives for making decisions on your behalf. Choices such as seeking court intervention and creating guardianships. When used in conjunction with other estate planning tools, such as trusts and durable powers of attorney, a Medical Power of Attorney can be a key component to estate and long-term diminished capacity planning.
Contact my office today to schedule a consultation: (903) 944-7800.
Disclaimer:
Nothing contained in this blog post or on the website associated with this blog post is intended to create an attorney-client relationship. Vance E. Hendrix, PC, does not represent you or your interests unless and until you have formally engaged Vance E. Hendrix, PC, in writing and paid the agreed-upon retainer. This blog post’s contents and the information contained here in are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute legal advice.
