What Might Happen When You Do Not Assign A Healthcare Proxy?

Choosing your HCP (health care proxy) is such an important part of your advance directive, that needs to be filled out before a medical crisis.

If you decide not to assign a HCP, here are a few things that may occur, when you are unable to speak, and make medical decisions, for yourself:

• Loose control over medical decisions that best align with your values.
• Family members may be asked to make these often difficult decisions
• Or perhaps, the medical team will be required to follow legal protocols, and these may not be what you would prefer
• In some cases, there may be legal processes that need to be followed, which may require courts to determine whom has authority to make these medical decisions.  This can be costly and lengthy.
• Disputes among family members may arise, as each person may have a strong opinion on the medical course of action.  Please remember that the loudest voice in the room, may not be aligned with your wishes.
• The decisions that need to be made, can be difficult and heart wrenching, which could delay treatment or you may receive inappropriate treatment that you would not have chosen for yourself
• The health care providers do not have clear guidance on what you would want, there the treatment you receive, may not align wish wishes.

Taking the time to fill out your advance directive, along with assigning your proxy, will bring confidence that if you are in a medical crisis, you will receive the care you wish to have, and not those whom might enforce their values on your medical care.  

"If you have not completed a Health Care Proxy, your family may be asked to make decisions based upon what they believe you would want done. If you have no family, or if there is disagreement about what treatment you would want, a court may be asked to appoint a guardian to make those decisions on your behalf".

What Can Happen If Don't Assign A HCP