Advance Directive Planning - Massachusetts Health Care Proxy
Massachusetts Health Care Proxy:
Expressing your wishes regarding your care and treatment
Your voice in health care decisions
When health care decisions are made, the patient’s voice and opinion are of utmost importance. In fact, expressing your personal health care wishes and taking part in decisions related to your health care are part of your basic rights as a patient. However, situations – such as accidents or severe illnesses – sometimes arise that can prevent you from participating in decisions about your care. Therefore, while you are able, it is important for you to decide what is important to you about your care in case you ever become too sick to speak for yourself. It is equally important that you communicate your wishes to your family and friends and your health care providers.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center encourages all patients to prepare a document called a health care proxy form. This document will identify the person you have chosen to express your wishes regarding your health care in the event that you become unable to speak for yourself.
Some of the common questions about the health care proxy appear below. Please read through this information and discuss it with your family and those who are closest to you, as well as with your physician, nurse, social worker, or chaplain. Please ask one of our staff if there is anything you do not understand.
What is a health care proxy?
A health care proxy is a legal document that names the person you have chosen to express your health care wishes. This “proxy” – also called your health care “agent” – is recognized under Massachusetts law as the person who can speak for you regarding health care decisions. If your doctor makes a determination that you are no longer able to communicate your wishes about your care, your health care providers will ask your health care agent to be your voice. Often, this person is a family member or close friend. Ideally, it is someone who knows your personal wishes, values, and beliefs well. It is someone you can trust to make the same health care decisions you would make if you could. Choosing this person before he or she is needed can help you feel confident that you will always be treated according to your own wishes and values.
Do I need a proxy if I already have a living will?
Yes. Only a health care proxy is formally recognized by Massachusetts law. Generally, a living will is a document that details a person’s preferences about the use of life-sustaining medical treatments in the event of terminal illness. Yet, when writing a living will, it is very difficult to anticipate all of the circumstances under which complex medical decisions may need to be made. When serious illness occurs, questions about your wishes may still arise. A living will does not identify an individual with whom a doctor can discuss these important issues of care.
In contrast, a health care proxy is not limited to situations of terminal illness. It enables you to designate someone who can communicate your values and preferences, and who will make sure that your wishes about health care are carried out.
Should the health care proxy only be completed by people who are sick?
No. All adults– people who are perfectly healthy as well as people who are sick – are encouraged to prepare a health care proxy.
How do I obtain a health care proxy?
You can obtain an on line health care proxy form by linking to the following website: Health care proxy form. If you would like a form mailed out to you, please call the social work department at 617-667-3421. The form becomes valid after it is signed by you and witnessed by two adults. The person you are naming as your agent cannot be one of the witnesses.
When does my health care proxy take effect?
Your proxy takes effect only after your doctor determines that you are unable to communicate your wishes about your health care. Your doctor will make this decision according to accepted standards of medical practice. This decision will be recorded in your medical record. It will include your doctor’s opinion as to why you cannot speak for yourself and whether or not you are expected to recover. At this point, your agent begins to speak for you.
If your doctor determines that your ability to speak for yourself has returned, your health care agent no longer speaks for you.
What happens if a member of my family disagrees with my agent’s decisions?
In general, your doctor will follow the direction of your agent. If a family member either disagrees with the care plans that are being made, or believes that your agent is not carrying out your wishes, the family member may bring action in court to challenge your agent’s decisions.
Will my health care agent have any legal authority beyond medical decisions, such as those concerning my financial affairs?
No. The health care proxy applies only to medical decisions.
Do I need another form if I go to another hospital?
If you go to another hospital, you will probably be asked if you have a completed health care proxy. If you have a copy of your current health care proxy with you, you may use it at another hospital. If you don’t have a copy available, or if you wish to make changes in your health care proxy, you may choose to fill out a new form.
Whom should I choose as my agent?
Your agent should be a person who is close to you and who is willing and able to respect your values and wishes. In selecting your agent, you may wish to consider the following questions:
- Do you think the agent would be able to make the same decisions you would make regarding your health care?
- Is your agent comfortable with the idea of speaking for you?
- Are you able to discuss serious issues with your agent?
Your agent will have the right to receive medical information about you that he or she needs to make informed decisions about your care. This includes confidential medical information. He or she must make decisions that follow your wishes, including your religious and moral beliefs. If these are unknown, your agent must make decisions that he or she believes are in your best interest.
May I name more than one person as my agent?
You may name one individual as your primary agent and a second individual as your alternate. The alternate will serve as your agent if your primary agent is unable or unwilling to serve. You may identify more individuals in the order they might serve, recognizing that they will become your agent only if the person named before is unable or unwilling to do so.
May I name my physician as my agent?
It is not recommended that you choose one of your health care providers as your agent. This is because it may place the provider in a difficult position as he/she tries to act as both your health care provider and your agent. Physicians often feel they must decline this request when patients ask them to serve as health care agents.
Your physician is legally permitted to serve as your agent only if you name him/her as such before being admitted to a hospital (or other health care facility) where your physician is employed, and providing he/she agrees to be your agent. This rule applies also for other health care providers or hospital/nursing home employees, such as nurses or facility administrators. Once you are admitted to a health care facility, you cannot name one of its employees as your agent (unless the employee is a relative). If your physician is your agent, he/she cannot be the one to determine that you are unable to make your own health care decisions.
What should I discuss with my agent?
Once you have told someone that you would like to designate him or her to be your health care agent, you should have thorough conversations about your values and preferences. These conversations are important so that your proxy can speak with knowledge on your behalf. They will help to make sure your proxy will be comfortable making decisions consistent with your values. Some questions to help guide your discussions include:
What are the things that make your life most worth living?
- Interacting with other people?
- Living independently?
- Being physically active?
- Being mentally alert?
- Being at home? Other things?
Are there any conditions under which you would not want your doctor to prolong your life?
Are there specific religious or ethical perspectives that should be considered in planning your care?
What are your thoughts and feelings regarding organ donation?
If your agent is called upon to speak for you, what family members or friends do you want the agent to be in touch with? Is there anyone you do not want the agent to communicate with about your care?
What should I do once I have completed the health care proxy?
It is always advisable to discuss your wishes and preferences with your family and those closest to you – including those who have not been named as your agent. Let them know that you have identified a health care agent(s) and what this means.
Once you have completed the health care proxy form, keep the original and give copies to your agent(s) and to your physician for inclusion in your medical record. If possible, bring a copy with you each time you are admitted to the hospital.
Also, talk to your doctor. Continue to ask questions that you may have regarding certain treatment issues and concerns. Your doctor should also know about the discussions you have had with your agent(s) and how these individuals may be reached.
Do I have to choose a health care agent in order to be treated at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center?
No. You do not have to complete a health care proxy to receive care at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
May I revoke a health care proxy?
You may revoke your proxy at any time. A proxy is automatically revoked in any of the following circumstances:
- You fill out another health care proxy at a later date
- You legally separate from or divorce your spouse (and your spouse was named as your agent)
- You notify your agent, doctor, or other health care provider, verbally or in writing, that you want to revoke the proxy
- You clearly indicate in another way that you want to revoke your proxy
Whom can I talk with if I have questions?
If you have any questions please talk with your physician, nurse, social worker, or chaplain. If you need additional information, call the department of social work (617-667-3421), pastoral care (617-667-3030), or the ethics support (617-667-3095).
This material was prepared by clinicians from the departments of social work, pastoral care, medicine, and nursing Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. ©2008 Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. MC0874 07/08
