Who should receive copies of my health-care documents?

Common recipients can include the health-care agent, backup agent, primary doctor, and providers or family members who may need the documents. The original can be kept secure while remaining available when needed.

General information

• An emergency contact may need access to the document location.
• A wallet card or electronic record can point to the full document.
• Facilities may scan a copy into the medical record.

Service steps to consider

1. Asking providers how they store directives.
2. Considering whether to give the agent a complete current copy.
3. Considering replacement of older copies after an update.

Quick check

• Does my agent know my wishes?
• Does my doctor have a copy?
• Are old copies marked as old?

How Complete Wills can help

Complete Wills includes an advance health-care directive and HIPAA authorization in its will-based and trust-based packages. The questionnaire can record choices and names. Customer support can explain the process. Only a licensed attorney may provide legal advice, and a qualified health professional may provide medical guidance. Customer support can explain website features and questionnaire fields, but it cannot choose documents, people, distributions, or legal terms, interpret a completed document, or explain how the law applies to a person's facts. Only a separately engaged licensed attorney may provide legal advice within the attorney's engagement.

Important limits

• Health-care document names and signing rules vary by state.
• Call emergency services or a health expert for an immediate medical issue. An online document service is not emergency care. This article gives general information only. A licensed attorney can explain how state law applies to a specific estate plan or document.