Welcome to Part 4 of our Planning for the Future Series. In this installment, we will discuss the essential medical documents that generally form the foundation of a comprehensive estate plan in Texas. These documents are designed to protect your interests and ensure that your medical wishes are respected during times when you are unable to make decisions for yourself. Understanding the purpose, components, and importance of these medical documents is crucial for proactive and effective estate planning. So, let's explore the basic medical planning documents.

Medical Power of Attorney

A Medical Power of Attorney (MPOA), also known as a healthcare proxy, is a legal document that designates an individual, known as your healthcare agent or surrogate, to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. The MPOA allows you to appoint someone you trust to make healthcare decisions aligned with your values, preferences, and instructions.

Living Will or Directive to Physicians

A Living Will, also referred to as a Directive to Physicians, is a document that outlines your preferences regarding end-of-life medical care. It provides specific instructions regarding life-sustaining treatments, resuscitation efforts, and the use of artificial nutrition and hydration. A Living Will helps ensure that your healthcare providers understand your wishes and respect your decisions when you are unable to communicate them.

HIPAA Authorization

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Authorization is a document that grants your designated individuals or healthcare agents access to your protected health information. By signing a HIPAA Authorization, you authorize your healthcare providers to share your medical information with the individuals you have specified, ensuring they can make informed decisions on your behalf.

Instructions for Disposition of Remains

Instructions for Disposition of Remains is a document that allows you to express your preferences for the handling of your remains after your passing. It may include instructions for burial, cremation, organ donation, or other specific requests. This document helps ensure that your wishes are respected and provides guidance to your loved ones during a challenging time.

Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Order

A Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Order is a medical document that specifies your wish to forgo cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if your heart stops or you stop breathing. This document is typically prepared in consultation with your healthcare provider and ensures that your preferences regarding resuscitation efforts are respected.

Conclusion

In this fourth part of our Planning for the Future Series, we have explored the basic medical documents that are generally included in an individual’s future planning. These documents, including the Medical Power of Attorney, Living Will, HIPAA Authorization, Instructions for Disposition of Remains, and DNR Order, ensure that your medical wishes are respected and empower trusted individuals to make decisions on your behalf when you are unable to do so. In Part 5 of the Planning for the Future Series, we will address the following question: What is a power of attorney?

Please note that this blog post is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. If you require assistance with Texas estate planning, consult with a qualified estate planning attorney to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect your interests.

Make an appointment for a free consultation to speak with the Provident Financial Planning team of Certified Financial Planner™ and JD/CPA tax experts, so we can advise you on how to implement an investment, tax, and legacy strategy that is tailored to you.

Schedule an appointment.

In His Name,

Zachary J. Montgomery, JD, CPA, CFE

zachary@providentfp.com