A Healthcare Power of Attorney allows you to appoint an agent to make healthcare decisions when you cannot.
You may name anyone over the age of 18 as an agent except for the physician providing your care. The agent has no legal obligation to serve and is not responsible for paying medical bills. The agent does not need to be an attorney.
In states where Advance Medical Directives are authorized, a Living Will and Healthcare Power of Attorney are combined into a single document. The Living Will states in advance what you know you want or don’t want. The Healthcare Power of Attorney names someone as your agent to make all other health related decisions.