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What is a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care? |
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Tuesday, 06 March 2007 |
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A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care is a document an individual prepares when capable of making health care decisions. This document names a person who will make health care decisions in the future if and when the resident is unable to make such decisions known. This decision maker, the “Attorney-in-Fact,” is required to make these decisions according to any directions an individual may have discussed with him. In the absence of such discussions, the decision maker will make decisions in what he believes is the patient’s best interest.
Federal regulations require that individuals admitted to a Medicare or Medicaid approved health care facility (hospital or nursing care facility) are to be asked if they have any advance directives and, if not, would they like to initiate one at that time. Health care providers encourage all adults to take advantage of these laws and exercise their rights to make these decisions and appointments before they are needed.
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