Two Documents That Give You a Voice When You Can’t Speak for Yourself
An advance directive and a healthcare proxy are legal tools that let you specify your medical wishes and designate someone to make decisions on your behalf if you’re ever unable to communicate them yourself. Having them in place — well before they’re needed — is one of the more overlooked parts of healthcare planning.
What an Advance Directive Actually Is
An advance directive (sometimes called a living will) is a written document outlining your preferences for medical treatment in specific situations — for example, whether you want life-sustaining treatment if there’s no reasonable expectation of recovery. It speaks for you when you’re unable to speak for yourself.
What a Healthcare Proxy Does
A healthcare proxy (also called a healthcare power of attorney) designates a specific person to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re incapacitated. Unlike a written advance directive, which is limited to the situations it explicitly addresses, a healthcare proxy can respond to circumstances that weren’t anticipated in the written document.
Why Both Matter Together
An advance directive tells your proxy — and your medical team — what you want in specific situations, while your healthcare proxy has the authority to make judgment calls in situations the document doesn’t explicitly cover. Together they provide both guidance and flexibility.
Choosing Your Healthcare Proxy
Choose someone who understands your values, is willing to advocate for your wishes even under pressure, and is realistically able to be reached and involved if needed. This is often — but not always — a spouse or adult child; the right choice depends on who can actually carry out this role effectively.
These Documents Don’t Require a Lawyer
While you can involve an attorney, most states have standard advance directive forms available for free, and the process doesn’t require expensive legal fees to complete validly. Requirements vary by state, so using your state’s specific form matters.
Share Copies, Don’t Just File Them Away
Once completed, give copies to your healthcare proxy, your primary care doctor, and any close family members who might be involved in a medical emergency — a document nobody knows exists doesn’t help when it’s actually needed.
Revisit Periodically
Your wishes can change over time, or your chosen proxy’s circumstances might change. Reviewing these documents every few years, or after a major life change, keeps them accurate.
Have questions? Schedule a free review with Kayla Price, a licensed insurance agent at Price Services Group. Call 866-648-1578 or visit priceservicesgroup.com/schedule.