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Healthcare Power of Attorney

A Healthcare Power of Attorney specifies who will make medical decisions for a patient unable to communicate those decisions for him- or herself. Healthcare Powers of Attorney are powerful documents and must be drafted carefully in order to fulfill a client’s wishes and to address applicable federal and state laws governing disclosure of medical records and information.

Federal law, commonly referred to as HIPAA, along with applicable state laws, strictly regulates the information a healthcare provider and hospital may provide without an appropriate release. If a patient is unable to make or communicate decisions and has not executed a Healthcare Power of Attorney, that individual may be in a position where a relative or loved one may not be able to obtain all necessary information in order to make an informed decision.