Designation of Health Care Surrogate

A document that allows an individual to appoint someone else to make decisions about his or her medical care if he or she is unable to communicate. Not all conditions are covered in the Living Will so the designation of a health care surrogate is vital. The health care surrogate has, in essence, the same rights to request or refuse treatment that the individual would have if capable of making and communicating decisions. Designation of Health Care Surrogate is sometimes referred as Medical Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy or Health Care Agent.

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