An Advance Health Care Directive is an essential element of a complete estate plan for residents of Atascadero and San Luis Obispo County. This legal document communicates your wishes about medical treatment if you are unable to speak for yourself, names a health care agent to make decisions on your behalf, and can include specific instructions about life-sustaining treatment, pain management, and organ donation. Many clients find peace of mind knowing their preferences are recorded clearly, reducing family conflict and uncertainty during stressful medical events. The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman can explain options, prepare documents tailored to California law, and coordinate the directive with other estate planning documents like powers of attorney and living trusts.
Preparing an Advance Health Care Directive involves thoughtful consideration of personal values, medical preferences, and who will act as your decision maker. In Atascadero, families often benefit from discussing scenarios in advance and documenting preferences to avoid ambiguity. An advance directive works alongside a HIPAA authorization, medical power of attorney, and other estate planning tools to ensure health care providers have authority to follow your instructions and access necessary medical information. Our approach is to listen to your priorities, explain how California law affects your choices, and draft a clear directive that reflects your wishes while coordinating with existing trust and will documents to provide comprehensive care planning.
An Advance Health Care Directive offers several tangible benefits for individuals and families in Atascadero. It clarifies your medical treatment preferences, reduces conflict among family members, and appoints a trusted person to make health care decisions if you cannot do so. Having a directive also streamlines communication with medical providers and ensures that your values guide care in critical moments. For people with chronic conditions, aging concerns, or upcoming medical procedures, an advance directive is an important part of proactive planning. Integrating the directive with powers of attorney and trust documents creates a unified plan that addresses both health care and financial decision making, protecting your autonomy and easing burdens on loved ones.
Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serves individuals and families in Atascadero and throughout San Luis Obispo County, focusing on practical, personalized estate planning services. Our team guides clients through advance health care directives, living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and related documents. We emphasize clear communication, careful document drafting, and coordination with medical and financial planning needs. Clients appreciate our patient approach to explaining California-specific requirements and helping them select decision makers and document language that aligns with their values. If you prefer an in-person meeting or a phone consultation, we are available at 408-528-2827 to discuss how an advance directive fits into your overall plan.
An Advance Health Care Directive is a legal declaration that outlines your preferences for medical care and designates someone to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so. In California, directives can include a health care power of attorney and instructions about life-sustaining treatment, resuscitation, and comfort care. The document can also grant permission for release of medical information through a HIPAA authorization, which helps your agent access records and speak with providers. Creating a directive is an opportunity to articulate your values regarding quality of life, acceptable interventions, and organ donation, so your wishes are more likely to be honored during critical moments.
Choosing an agent and wording specific medical preferences requires thoughtful planning. Clients often select a trusted family member or friend who understands their values and can communicate effectively with health care teams. It is also helpful to discuss your choices with the person you name so they are prepared to act if needed. An Advance Health Care Directive should be reviewed periodically, especially after major life events, changes in health, or relocation within California. The directive should be stored where it can be accessed when needed and provided to your primary care physician, local hospital, and anyone named to serve as your agent.
An Advance Health Care Directive typically contains two main parts: a health care power of attorney that names an agent to make decisions and written instructions that express your preferences on treatments and end-of-life care. The directive may include choices about resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, artificial nutrition and hydration, and pain management. It also often includes a HIPAA release so your agent can obtain medical records. Under California law, the directive must reflect your voluntary decisions and be signed according to statutory requirements. Clear language reduces the risk of misinterpretation and helps ensure medical teams follow your wishes during times when you cannot speak for yourself.
Creating an Advance Health Care Directive involves several steps: identifying your priorities for medical care, selecting a trusted agent to act on your behalf, completing the required California forms or custom documents, and sharing the final directive with your agent and health care providers. You may also pair the directive with a living trust, will, or power of attorney to coordinate health care and financial decisions. We recommend reviewing directives periodically and updating them after major changes in health or family circumstances. The process emphasizes clear communication, careful drafting to reflect your values, and practical steps to ensure the document is accessible when needed.
Understanding common terms used in health care directives helps you make informed choices. Terms such as health care agent, HIPAA authorization, life-sustaining treatment, and decision-making capacity appear frequently in documents and conversations with providers. Knowing what each term means will allow you to draft instructions that accurately reflect your wishes and avoid ambiguity. When combined with estate planning tools like living trusts and powers of attorney, an Advance Health Care Directive becomes part of a comprehensive plan that protects both health and financial interests. Clear definitions reduce confusion and help your agent and medical team follow your intentions.
A health care agent is the person you appoint to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself. The agent’s authority can include consenting to or refusing treatments, accessing medical records, and speaking with health care providers. Choosing an agent requires trust in their judgment and willingness to follow your stated preferences. It is important to discuss your values and instructions with the person you name so they understand how you would want decisions made. The appointment is formalized in the Advance Health Care Directive under California law and should include a HIPAA authorization where appropriate to allow access to medical information.
A HIPAA authorization allows your designated agent or other authorized person to access your medical records and speak with health care providers on your behalf. This release is often included in or attached to an Advance Health Care Directive so that the agent can obtain necessary information to make informed decisions. Without a HIPAA release, privacy rules may prevent providers from sharing critical details about your condition. Including this authorization ensures continuity of care and enables your agent to advocate effectively for your wishes, coordinate treatment options, and review medical records during emergencies or ongoing care situations.
Life-sustaining treatment refers to medical interventions that prolong life when a person has a severe condition or is near the end of life. Examples include mechanical ventilation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, dialysis, and artificial nutrition and hydration. An Advance Health Care Directive enables you to state whether you would accept, limit, or refuse these interventions under specific circumstances. Clear, scenario-based instructions help medical providers and your agent understand your preferences when quick decisions are required. Discussing potential outcomes and values with your agent before completing the directive can make these choices more comfortable and enforceable.
Decision-making capacity is the ability to understand relevant information, appreciate the consequences of choices, reason about treatment options, and express a consistent preference. If a medical professional determines that you lack capacity to make health care decisions, the authority to decide generally passes to the person named as your health care agent in the Advance Health Care Directive. Documents should be prepared while you retain capacity to ensure they reflect your informed preferences. Periodic review and confirmation of the directive help maintain alignment with your current wishes and health status.
When planning for medical decision making, clients can choose limited documents that address a few immediate needs or a comprehensive approach that coordinates directives with financial planning and trusts. Limited documents may be quicker and less costly initially, but they can leave gaps that create uncertainty or disputes. A comprehensive plan typically includes an Advance Health Care Directive, HIPAA authorization, financial powers of attorney, and trust or will documents to manage assets. Considering the broader context of your health, family dynamics, and estate goals helps determine which approach best protects your wishes and reduces the burden on loved ones during medical crises.
A focused advance directive can be appropriate for individuals addressing short-term medical concerns or a single upcoming procedure. For example, someone planning surgery may create a directive that outlines temporary preferences and appoints an agent for the perioperative period. This approach can be efficient when long-term capacity is not an immediate issue and the primary goal is to document preferences for a specific situation. Even in a focused plan, including a HIPAA authorization helps ensure the agent can obtain records and speak with providers, improving coordination during the limited timeframe that the directive is intended to cover.
A limited approach may suit those with uncomplicated family dynamics and clear decision makers who already communicate well about health preferences. When there are few assets, no trust is needed, and the person named as agent is available and informed, a short directive that names an agent and outlines essential wishes can provide sufficient protection. However, even in simple situations, it is beneficial to ensure the document meets California legal requirements, is shared with health care providers, and is supplemented by a HIPAA authorization so that the agent can access medical information without delay.
A comprehensive approach to advance care planning ensures that health care directives, powers of attorney, trusts, and wills work together seamlessly. This coordination reduces the risk of conflicting instructions, ensures agents have access to necessary documents, and aligns financial decision making with health care preferences. For people with significant assets, complex family situations, or chronic health conditions, a unified plan provides clarity and continuity. Taking a holistic view also allows for careful selection of agents and successors, and helps preserve assets while honoring medical wishes through appropriate trust or estate planning mechanisms.
When long-term care, asset protection, or special needs planning are concerns, a comprehensive estate plan that includes an Advance Health Care Directive is highly beneficial. Coordinating medical directives with trusts, beneficiary designations, and powers of attorney helps avoid probate complications and ensures continuity of care and financial management. Advanced planning can also address guardianship nominations, pet trusts, and provisions for family members with special needs. This level of planning provides a durable framework that accounts for future changes in health, family dynamics, and legal requirements, offering a clearer path forward for your loved ones.
A comprehensive strategy that integrates an Advance Health Care Directive with estate planning documents offers peace of mind and practical advantages. It reduces the chance of contradictory instructions, clarifies who will make decisions about health and finances, and helps ensure that medical preferences are honored while assets are managed according to your goals. Consolidating documents and naming consistent agents and successors simplifies administration if you become incapacitated. In Atascadero and across California, clients who adopt a coordinated approach find it easier to communicate their wishes to family members and health care providers while protecting their legacy and financial interests.
Comprehensive planning also facilitates proactive measures for foreseeable changes in health or personal circumstances. Regular reviews can update directives and related documents to reflect new relationships, changes in health status, or evolving preferences about medical treatment. Including HIPAA authorizations and ensuring that agents have access to documents reduces delays in care. A unified approach can also address secondary concerns like guardianship nominations, pet trusts, and provisions for unique family situations, helping to protect loved ones and honor your values through coordinated legal instruments.
One key benefit of a comprehensive plan is the reduction of stress on family members and health care teams during emergencies. Clear directives and designated agents reduce ambiguity over who should speak for you and what your treatment preferences are. This clarity helps medical staff follow your wishes quickly and can minimize disputes among relatives. When financial powers of attorney and trust documents are aligned with health care directives, your family will also have a clearer process for managing finances and assets during periods of incapacity, allowing them to focus on your care rather than legal uncertainties.
A coordinated estate planning approach improves communication with medical and financial professionals by ensuring they have consistent instructions and authorized access to necessary records. Including a HIPAA authorization enables health care providers to share information with your agent, while financial documents give fiduciaries the authority to manage accounts and pay bills if you cannot. This coordination reduces delays and administrative hurdles, allowing professionals to act promptly in your best interest. Regular updates and centralized storage of documents further streamline interactions across providers and institutions.
Selecting a health care agent is one of the most important decisions when preparing an Advance Health Care Directive. Choose someone who understands your values, communicates effectively with medical staff, and can remain calm under pressure. It helps to discuss specific scenarios and your preferences so the person you name feels prepared to act. Also consider naming alternates in case the primary agent is unavailable. Clear communication and written instructions reduce the burden on the agent and increase the likelihood that your medical wishes will be followed when you are unable to speak for yourself.
After completing your Advance Health Care Directive, share copies with your chosen agent, primary care physician, and close family members. Provide a copy to your local hospital if possible and keep a signed original in a known location. Consider carrying a card in your wallet that indicates the existence of a directive and where a copy can be found. Including a HIPAA authorization with the directive ensures agents can access medical records when necessary. These steps minimize delays in care and help ensure your wishes are known and followed when time is of the essence.
Establishing an Advance Health Care Directive is a proactive way to maintain control over medical decisions and reduce stress for loved ones. It clarifies your wishes about treatments and appoints an agent who can make decisions consistent with your values if you are unable to speak. The directive also enables health care providers to follow documented instructions and access your health information through a HIPAA authorization. For those with chronic conditions, aging concerns, or upcoming procedures, a directive provides a practical plan for difficult scenarios and protects your autonomy while minimizing family conflict.
Creating a directive is also an important step in coordinating your broader estate plan. When combined with powers of attorney, living trusts, and a will, the directive ensures that both medical and financial matters are addressed. This coordination helps avoid probate complications and provides a clear process for decision making during incapacity. Regular review of the directive and related documents keeps them up to date with life changes such as marriage, divorce, new children, or changes in health status, ensuring your plan remains aligned with your current wishes and family circumstances.
Advance Health Care Directives are especially helpful in circumstances like serious medical diagnoses, planned surgeries, advanced age, or progressive illnesses that may impair decision-making capacity. They are also useful for individuals who travel frequently or live alone, as well as those with complex family dynamics where clarity about decision makers reduces disputes. A directive can prevent delays in care by ensuring medical providers and hospitals have authority to follow your preferences. Preparing a directive before a crisis occurs gives you time to consider options calmly and to discuss choices with your family and chosen agent.
When facing major surgery or a significant medical procedure, having an Advance Health Care Directive in place allows you to specify your preferences for perioperative care and designate someone to make decisions if complications arise. This planning reduces uncertainty for both medical teams and family members, ensuring your medical wishes guide treatment decisions. It also enables timely access to your medical records through a HIPAA authorization, which can be critical during surgical care. Discussing expectations with your surgeon and named agent helps align everyone on the choices you would want made in different scenarios.
For individuals managing chronic or progressive illnesses, an Advance Health Care Directive provides a framework to document long-term treatment preferences and name an agent who understands those wishes. As conditions evolve, the directive can be updated to reflect changes in prognosis and personal values. Having clear, written instructions helps avoid disputes and ensures medical teams have guidance on your goals of care. Coordination with financial powers of attorney and trust instruments can also help manage the practical aspects of treatment and long-term care planning, protecting both health and financial interests.
As people age, the likelihood of short-term or long-term incapacity increases, making an Advance Health Care Directive an important part of planning. The directive sets out your preferences for end-of-life care, life-sustaining treatments, and appoints an agent to make decisions if you cannot. Including a HIPAA release and coordinating with estate planning documents ensures that health care and financial matters are managed cohesively. Planning ahead can reduce stress on family members and provide a clear roadmap for those who may need to make difficult decisions on your behalf in the future.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provides personalized guidance for residents of Atascadero and surrounding San Luis Obispo County communities. We assist clients in drafting Advance Health Care Directives that reflect their medical values and appoint reliable agents to act on their behalf. Our team coordinates the directive with HIPAA authorizations, powers of attorney, living trusts, and related estate planning documents to create a cohesive plan. We aim to make the process straightforward and supportive, answering questions and helping you share documents with providers and family. To schedule a consultation, call our office at 408-528-2827 for assistance tailored to your needs.
Choosing the right legal partner to prepare an Advance Health Care Directive means working with a firm that understands California law, listens to your preferences, and drafts clear, enforceable documents. At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman, we focus on practical planning and effective communication with clients and their families. Our process includes discussing possible scenarios, helping you select an agent, and preparing paperwork that integrates with your broader estate plan. We strive to make sure your wishes are documented and accessible to medical providers and appointed decision makers when they are needed most.
Our firm helps clients anticipate common issues and ensures that directives include necessary elements like HIPAA authorizations and concise instructions about life-sustaining treatment and comfort care. We review your current estate planning documents to confirm consistency among directives, powers of attorney, and trust instruments. Clear documentation reduces delays and disputes in urgent medical situations, and we assist with distribution and storage recommendations so your agent and providers can find the directive quickly. We also provide guidance on when to update the document based on life events or changes in health.
We are available to answer questions before and after documents are signed and can help coordinate with health care providers and other advisors as needed. Our goal is to provide practical support that minimizes stress for you and your loved ones. Whether you need a straightforward directive for a specific procedure or a directive that fits into a more comprehensive estate plan including trusts and wills, we tailor our approach to meet your needs. Contact our office in California at 408-528-2827 to discuss how to start or update your Advance Health Care Directive.
Our process for preparing an Advance Health Care Directive begins with a conversation about your medical preferences, values, and goals. We discuss potential agents, review any existing estate planning documents, and advise on the inclusion of a HIPAA authorization. Next, we draft the directive in clear, California-compliant language and review it with you to confirm it reflects your wishes. Once signed and witnessed as required, we provide guidance on distribution, execution with medical providers, and periodic review to keep the document current. Our aim is to make the document easy to follow and accessible when it matters most.
In the initial consultation, we gather information about your health concerns, family dynamics, and existing estate planning documents. We talk through scenarios and preferences so the directive can be drafted to reflect realistic choices. We also identify suitable agents, discuss HIPAA authorizations, and consider how the directive should coordinate with powers of attorney or trust documents. This meeting helps clarify priorities and ensures the directive will be practical and relevant. We take time to answer questions and provide guidance so you feel confident about how your medical wishes will be recorded and acted upon.
During this phase we explore your values about quality of life, life-sustaining treatments, and comfort care to determine the language that best reflects your wishes. We discuss examples and situations to reduce ambiguity, and help you decide how detailed you want instructions to be. This discussion is confidential and intended to ensure the final directive aligns with your priorities. We also advise on practical matters such as how to communicate your wishes to family and the person you appoint as your agent, so they are prepared to act in accordance with your documented choices.
We review any existing wills, trusts, powers of attorney, or prior directives to identify inconsistencies and make sure all documents work together. This review helps prevent conflicting instructions between health care and financial documents and ensures your appointed agents and successors are coordinated. If updates are needed to align documents with your current wishes, we recommend revisions and explain how changes affect your overall plan. Clear, consistent documentation avoids confusion for your family and providers when decisions must be made quickly.
After gathering information, we draft an Advance Health Care Directive tailored to your preferences and California legal standards. The draft includes appointment of an agent, clear treatment preferences, and a HIPAA authorization if desired. We then review the document with you in detail to ensure it captures your wishes accurately and addresses foreseeable scenarios. This review provides an opportunity to refine language, name alternates for agents, and add guidance for your decision maker. We focus on clarity so medical professionals and your agent can implement your instructions effectively.
Drafting clear language minimizes the risk of misinterpretation and helps medical teams follow your instructions. We use straightforward phrasing that reflects your preferences for life-sustaining treatment, comfort measures, and other medical decisions. If you have specific scenarios in mind, we incorporate them into the directive so your agent and providers can apply your wishes in context. We also include a HIPAA authorization when appropriate to facilitate access to medical records and effective communication between your agent and health care providers.
Once the directive is finalized, we guide you through the proper execution process under California law, including signing and witnessing requirements. We advise on the number of copies to make, who should receive copies, and how to store the original document. Providing copies to your agent, primary care physician, and local hospital can speed access when needed. We also explain the importance of carrying information about the directive, such as a wallet card or digital record, so health care teams and family members know that a directive exists and where it can be found.
After your Advance Health Care Directive is in place, periodic review is important to ensure it still reflects your wishes. We recommend reviewing the directive after major life events such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, changes in health, or relocation. Updates may involve changing agents, revising treatment preferences, or coordinating with updated estate planning documents. We help clients schedule reviews and make amendments or replacements as needed, so the directive remains current and effective throughout changing circumstances.
You should consider updating an Advance Health Care Directive after major life changes including changes in health status, new diagnoses, marriage or divorce, or changes in relationships that affect who you trust to act as agent. Advances in medical technology or changes in personal values can also prompt updates. Regular review every few years is a good practice to confirm that the document still reflects your wishes. We assist clients with amendments or complete revisions and advise on how to communicate updates to agents and medical providers.
Amendments to an Advance Health Care Directive can be made when you are competent and should be documented according to California requirements. Depending on the nature of the changes, creating a new directive and distributing it widely may be the best approach to prevent confusion. We help clients draft amendments or new directives and provide guidance on rescinding older documents. Clear labeling of the latest version and retrieval of prior copies where possible helps ensure medical providers and agents follow the most current instructions.
An Advance Health Care Directive is a legal document that records your medical treatment preferences and appoints a health care agent to make decisions if you cannot communicate. It can include choices about resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, artificial nutrition and hydration, and preferences for comfort-oriented care. The directive also often contains a HIPAA authorization to allow your agent access to medical records. Creating a directive helps ensure your wishes guide medical care during serious illness or incapacity and reduces uncertainty for family members and providers. You need a directive to protect your autonomy and to provide clear instructions to those who may be called upon to make difficult medical decisions. It complements other estate planning tools and can prevent disputes by naming a decision maker and articulating specific preferences. Preparing a directive in advance gives you time to consider options carefully and discuss them with the person you plan to appoint, ensuring they understand your values and intended choices.
Choosing a health care agent involves selecting someone you trust to make decisions that align with your values and preferences. Look for a person who communicates effectively with medical professionals, can handle stressful situations calmly, and is willing to act on your behalf. Many people choose a spouse, adult child, close friend, or another trusted relative. It is also wise to name successors in case the primary agent is unavailable. Before signing the directive, talk through scenarios and your treatment preferences with the person you plan to appoint. Ensure they know where the directive is kept and that they are comfortable advocating on your behalf. Discuss specific instructions you want them to follow so they can make decisions consistent with your wishes if the time comes.
A health care agent can make a range of medical decisions for you if you lack decision-making capacity. This may include consenting to or refusing treatments, arranging for palliative or comfort care, deciding about life-sustaining interventions, and choosing providers or transferring care facilities. The scope of authority depends on the wording in your directive and any limitations you choose to include. A HIPAA authorization often accompanies the directive so the agent can access medical records and communicate with providers. It is important to clearly define the agent’s authority in the directive to avoid misunderstandings. You can specify particular treatments you want to allow or refuse and outline guidance on quality-of-life considerations. Discussing values and expectations with the agent in advance helps them make decisions that reflect your priorities when circumstances require quick action.
A HIPAA authorization allows your agent to obtain your medical records and speak with health care providers about your care. Without this release, privacy rules may limit the information that medical teams can share, impeding the agent’s ability to make informed decisions. Including a HIPAA authorization with your Advance Health Care Directive ensures that the agent has the information they need to advocate effectively on your behalf, review treatment options, and coordinate care among providers. It is practical to attach or incorporate a HIPAA release into the directive so there is no question about the agent’s access to records. Make sure the release is signed and dated according to legal requirements, and provide copies to your primary care physician and any facilities where you receive care so they can quickly respond to requests from your agent.
In California, an Advance Health Care Directive generally must be signed by the principal and either witnessed by two adults who are not your appointed agent or notarized. Some people choose to have the document notarized to simplify the process when presenting it to institutions. Witnesses should not be agents or beneficiaries to avoid conflicts of interest. Proper signing and witnessing help ensure the directive will be accepted by medical providers and institutions when it is needed. Following the statutory execution requirements minimizes the risk of challenges or refusal by providers. We recommend keeping the original signed document in a secure but accessible location and providing copies to your agent, physicians, and family members. If you move or have significant life changes, consider updating and re-executing the directive to reflect current wishes.
Yes, you can change or revoke your Advance Health Care Directive at any time while you have capacity to do so. Revocation can be done by creating a new directive, signing a revocation document, or verbally expressing your intent to revoke in front of appropriate witnesses or your physician when required. It is important to communicate any changes to your agent, family, and medical providers and to retrieve prior copies if possible to avoid confusion about which document is current. When making amendments, ensure the new directive is executed according to California requirements and that copies are distributed widely. If only minor changes are needed, an amendment or addendum may suffice, but creating a new, clearly labeled directive is often the best way to avoid disputes and ensure hospitals and providers follow your most recent instructions.
Hospitals and doctors in Atascadero and throughout California generally follow a properly executed Advance Health Care Directive when it is presented. Acceptance depends on whether the document meets legal execution requirements and whether it is clear about your wishes and agent appointment. Providing a HIPAA authorization and copies to your primary care physician and local hospital improves the likelihood that staff can quickly access and rely on the directive when decisions are needed. Occasionally, providers may request additional verification or clarification, especially in complex cases. To reduce delays, ensure the directive uses clear language, name an accessible agent, and include contact information for family or other persons who can confirm your intent. If there are concerns about compliance, our firm can assist in communicating with providers and ensuring the document’s enforceability.
Including instructions about life-sustaining treatment in your directive helps ensure medical care aligns with your values during circumstances like irreversible illness or terminal conditions. You can specify whether you would want interventions such as resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, or artificial nutrition and hydration in particular scenarios. Scenario-based language can be especially useful to provide context for your choices and guide your agent and providers when making decisions. Deciding which instructions to include is a personal process that benefits from discussion with family, the person you plan to appoint, and medical professionals. Consider your views on quality of life and acceptable outcomes, and review the directive periodically to confirm it remains consistent with your wishes. Clear instructions reduce ambiguity and help medical teams implement your preferences in urgent situations.
An Advance Health Care Directive addresses medical decision making, while a living trust and a will handle distribution of assets and guardianship nominations. These documents should be coordinated so that agents and fiduciaries are aligned and there are no conflicting instructions. For example, naming the same trusted individuals where appropriate and ensuring beneficiary designations are current helps create a cohesive plan that covers both health and financial matters without gaps. Coordinating documents also prevents administrative delays and confusion during incapacity and after death. Our process includes reviewing trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and directives together to identify inconsistencies and recommend revisions so that your entire estate plan operates smoothly and reflects your overall goals.
After signing your Advance Health Care Directive, distribute copies to your appointed agent, primary care physician, and any specialists or facilities involved in your care. Consider providing a copy to close family members and storing the original in a safe, accessible location. Carrying a wallet card or digital notice indicating the existence of a directive and where it is stored can be helpful in emergencies. Including a HIPAA authorization ensures your agent can obtain medical records when needed. Schedule periodic reviews of the directive and update it after major life events or changes in health. If you make changes, retrieve prior copies and distribute the new version to the same people and providers. Our office can assist with distribution recommendations and answer questions about maintaining and updating the document to keep it current and effective.
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