Most health care agents are appointed through a written document called an advance directive. A health care agent is someone appointed by an individual to make health care decisions
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In Maryland health care agent's authority depends on what the person's advance directive says. A health care agent duties begin when the individual loses the ability to make health care decisions on his or her own |
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Who can Make Health Care Decisions for Another? Defining Health Care Proxies under Maryland LawAssistant Attorney General Jack Schwartz March 27, 2022
Most health care agents are appointed through a written document called an advance directive. (Sometimes people call this a durable power of attorney for health care. It doesnt matter what it is called.) A health care agent also may be appointed by an oral, witnessed statement to a physician. This is just as valid as a written advance directive. A health care agent may be a family member or someone else. The agent has the authority to see that doctors and other health care professionals give the type of care the person would want. The agent should advocate for the patient. An advance directive appointing a health care agent is not the same as a living will. A living will allows a person to set out directions on medical treatment in advance. It is to be followed when the person has a terminal illness, is in a persistent vegetative state, or the end-stage of a serious illness, and can no longer speak for him or herself. A living will does not appoint an agent. However, a living will may be combined with appointment of an agent through an advance directive. If no health care agent is available and the patient can no longer make health care decisions, Maryland law says which family member or friend can make health care decisions. This person (or sometimes more than one) is called a surrogate decision maker, or surrogate for short. Unless the court already has named a guardian to make health care decisions (see below), the patients spouse has the first right to be a surrogate and make these decisions on the persons behalf. If there is no spouse or the spouse is unavailable or unwilling to make decisions an adult child of the patient (or children, if more than one is available) can decide. If there is no adult child, then a parent, followed by an adult sister or brother can decide. If none of these relatives is available, a friend or more distant relative may make decisions. In this case, the friend or relative needs to sign a statement about his or her regular contact with the patient and familiarity with the patients health and personal beliefs. Sometimes a court names a guardian of the person, or guardian for short, to make health care and other decisions for individuals. Guardianship might be necessary to get consent for a specific medical procedure, for ongoing medical care, or for placing a person in a safe living environment. Guardians usually need specific court approval to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining procedures. WHAT IS THE AUTHORITY OF A HEALTH CARE PROXY? A health care agents authority depends on what the persons advance directive says. A health care agents duties begin when the individual loses the ability to make health care decisions on his or her own (or, rarely, when the person wants to let the agent decide even though he or she still could). This is determined by a process outlined in the advance directive. If no process is identified, two physicians should certify that the person is incapable of making decisions concerning his or her own health care. (If the person is unconscious or unable to communicate, the certification of a second physician is not required.)Most advance directives give the health care agent authority to make any and all decisions the patient would make, if able. This includes:
A guardians duties depend on the courts order and on Maryland law. A guardian often is responsible for making health care decisions generally and assuring that the person is living in a safe environment, but the court may limit this authority. A guardian may need to seek court approval for medical procedures that involve a substantial risk to the persons life, including a decision to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining procedures. A guardian must file an annual report with the court about how the patient is doing, whether the patients condition has changed, and whether any changes in the court order are necessary. No matter how someone becomes a proxy, decisions about life-sustaining treatment should not be influenced by whether the patient has had a long-term disability or is low-income. "Who can Make Health Care Decisions for Another? Defining Health Care Proxies under Maryland Law"
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