Designation of Healthcare Surrogate

As you grow older, you may not always be able to make all your health care decisions for yourself. You should designate a person or persons who you trust to make the best health care decisions for you. Usually, if you are married it is your spouse and an alternative who can act on your behalf. The documents which you will use to make this designation is called a Designation of Health Care Surrogate. A Health Care Surrogate is different than Living Wills/Dying Declarations. Healthcare providers cannot discuss your medical condition with anyone because of HIPPA. A Health Care Surrogate is a waiver of the HIPPA requirements and allows healthcare providers to speak with the person you designate. A Health Care Surrogate also authorizes the healthcare provider to release your medical records to the designated person.