Preparing for Coronavirus: The #1 Legal Document Every Adult Needs to Have (Round 2)

As we seem to be heading into Round 2 of the Coronavirus pandemic, we thought it was important to re-discuss the need to be proactive when it comes to your healthcare planning. Below is an article we originally published on August 27, 2020, where we explain what a Healthcare Agent is and why they are so important to your planning!

Even though these original thoughts may be over a year old, they are just as important today, as they were in 2020.

A healthcare agent (also called a medical agent, healthcare surrogate, a healthcare proxy, or a medical proxy) is a person you authorize in a healthcare or medical power of attorney to make decisions about your medical care if you are too ill to make them yourself or are otherwise unable to communicate your wishes.

The death rate in the United States for those contracting Coronavirus appears to be between 1.5% and 2% (updated as of September 20, 2021, per the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center). So, statistically speaking, even if you get sick, you’ll most likely have mild symptoms and recover quickly. However, since no one knows exactly how they personally will be affected by the virus, it’s best to plan for the worst and hope for the best. Part of that planning is making sure someone can make healthcare decisions for you if you fall ill and are unable to make those decisions for yourself.

The death rate in the United States for those contracting Coronavirus appears to be between 1.5% and 2% (updated as of September 20, 2021, per the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center). So, statistically speaking, even if you get sick, you’ll most likely have mild symptoms and recover quickly. However, since no one knows exactly how they personally will be affected by the virus, it’s best to plan for the worst and hope for the best. Part of that planning is making sure someone can make healthcare decisions for you if you fall ill and are unable to make those decisions for yourself.

Factors to Consider in Choosing Your Healthcare Agent
A healthcare agent is an important role, and the person you choose will have the power to make critical healthcare decisions—like consenting to a treatment plan, whether to accept or refuse medical treatment, and which healthcare providers or hospitals to use for your care. As a result, it is crucial to think carefully about who you choose to fill this role. Many people simply assume that their spouse or their oldest child should take on this role, but they are not always the best suited. Here are some factors to consider when selecting an agent:

1) Emotional maturity. People handle stress differently, and not everyone is able to set aside their emotions and make level-headed decisions when someone they love is suffering. In addition, some people are simply not assertive enough to act as a strong advocate in the face of differing opinions of other family members–or even health care providers–who suggest a treatment plan you have informed your healthcare agent you do not want. You should choose someone who is able to think rationally in emotionally difficult circumstances, even if that means you must look outside of your family to find the best person for the job.

2) Location. The person you choose to act as your healthcare agent should be someone who lives close by and is able to act on your behalf very quickly in the event of a medical emergency, or if you need your advocate to serve in that role for an extended time period. In current times, many people might be under a mandatory or recommended stay-at-home order, or may not be available or willing to travel to another city or state. Consider naming several alternate agents to account for someone’s potential unavailability.

3) Is willing/able to serve. Acting as a healthcare agent can be a time-consuming and emotionally draining job. Make sure that the person you choose is willing and able to set aside the time necessary to serve as your patient advocate. Don’t just assume the person you want to be your healthcare agent is willing: be proactive and ask if he or she is willing to take on that role. Keep in mind that if you are elderly, you may want to avoid naming a friend or family member who also is older, as there is a greater chance that they will experience mental or physical decline at the same time as you, which could impede their ability to serve as your advocate when the time comes.

4) Will honor your wishes no matter what. Your healthcare agent has a duty to make decisions on your behalf that you would have made to the extent that he or she is aware of your wishes. This is the case even if your healthcare agent disagrees with your choices. As a result, your healthcare agent needs to be someone who is willing to set aside his or her own opinions and wishes to carry out yours. It may be prudent to appoint someone who has values and religious beliefs that are similar to yours to reduce the instances in which your agent’s opinions differ significantly from yours. Do not choose anyone that you do not trust to carry out your wishes.

Many states have laws prohibiting certain people from acting as your healthcare agent, even if they are otherwise well-qualified to act in that role:

1) Minors. Many states have laws expressly prohibiting a minor from being a patient advocate. The age of majority could be 18, 19, or 21 years of age, depending upon the state. Some states have exceptions to this prohibition for married or emancipated minors.

2) Your health care providers. Some states not only prohibit your health care providers from acting as your healthcare agent, but also preclude the owner, operator, or any employee of any facility in which you are a patient or resident from acting in that role. Some states that have adopted this prohibition make an exception for individuals who are related to you.

Medical directives may be among the most important legal documents you prepare – especially in light of COVID-19. Picking a healthcare agent can be tricky and we can help you think through your choice. We can also help with any other estate planning needs you may have—whether that’s setting up a financial power of attorney, last will and testament, or a trust. Please give us a call today to discuss how we can help you and your family be prepared, should you fall ill from the Coronavirus.

-Jon