Health Care Legal Document and School
Health care legal document preparation is as important as packing up the kids or grandkids for a year away at college or thinking about your own plans. Whether someone has a current health issue or everyone is in ideal health, preparing a health care legal document for the unexpected is essential.
Children over age 18 and Health Care Decisions
Your kids or grandkids over age 18 might be getting ready for college away from home or living at home. No matter where they reside, if they are 18 or older, they are considered adults under the law and are afforded HIPPA protection that protects the privacy of medical records and information. Consequently, if your adult child becomes injured or ill, you will have difficulty obtaining medical information and making decisions for their care.
HIPPA Authorization
HIPPA Release Forms are simple enough documents to allow someone you choose to access your medical records. As a parent of a 19-year-old, you might be shocked to find out, especially in an emergency, that you have no access to your child’s medical records. However, access to records does not allow you to make healthcare decisions for your adult child.
Health Care Power of Attorney
A Health Care Power of Attorney designates a legal agent who can make all health care decisions if you cannot make them yourself. People often think of these documents solely in terms of life support decisions.
