A healthcare proxy — sometimes called a healthcare power of attorney or medical power of attorney — is a legal document that names someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you can't make them yourself. It's one of the most important advance directives you can complete, and yet many people put it off because they don't know where to start.
Why You Need a Healthcare Proxy
Even if you have a detailed living will, medical situations arise that no written document could have anticipated. Your healthcare proxy is the person who fills the gaps — interpreting your values, asking the right questions of medical providers, and making judgment calls on your behalf.
Without a healthcare proxy, these decisions fall to whoever medical providers turn to — sometimes a family member, sometimes a court-appointed guardian. Families can disagree bitterly about what a patient would have wanted, leading to conflict, delays in care, and decisions that may not reflect your wishes at all.
What Authority Does a Healthcare Proxy Have?
Once properly designated, your healthcare agent can:
- Access your medical records
- Communicate with physicians and other providers on your behalf
- Make decisions about tests, procedures, medications, surgeries, and end-of-life care
- Make decisions about hospice care and do-not-resuscitate orders
- Consent to or refuse any medical treatment
Their authority is generally limited to healthcare decisions — they don't automatically gain control over your finances (that's a separate financial power of attorney).
How to Choose a Healthcare Proxy
The most important quality is not proximity or family connection — it's the ability to advocate for your wishes, even under pressure. Look for someone who:
- Knows your values and how you think about quality of life
- Can make difficult decisions under emotional stress
- Will prioritize your wishes over their own preferences or the preferences of other family members
- Is willing to have detailed conversations with you about your wishes
- Is accessible and reachable in an emergency
Many people choose a spouse or adult child — but sometimes a close friend, sibling, or other trusted person is better suited. The most loving person is not always the best decision-maker under pressure.
Having the Conversation
Before finalizing your healthcare proxy, sit down with your chosen agent and walk them through your values and preferences. Discuss scenarios: What would you want if you had a terminal diagnosis? What does "quality of life" mean to you? When would you want treatment stopped? This conversation is what turns a document into an effective tool.
How to Create a Healthcare Proxy
Requirements vary by state. Generally, you'll need to:
- Complete your state's healthcare proxy form (available from your state's Department of Health)
- Sign in the presence of two adult witnesses (generally excluding your named agent, relatives, and heirs)
- Have it notarized if your state requires it
- Give copies to your agent, your physician, and your medical record
See our guide to advance directive state laws for state-specific requirements.
For more on the full picture of healthcare planning, see our complete guide to advance directives.