Health Care Agent Information

A health care agent is the person you choose to make health care decisions for you if you’re unable to speak for yourself. It’s important you discuss your health care decisions with your health care agent so that they understand and honor your decisions and can advocate for you.

Usually your health care agent only makes health care decisions for you if you’re unable to speak for yourself. However, you can choose for your health care agent to make health care decisions for you even if you are able to decide or speak for yourself.

What Types of Decisions Does a Health Care Agent Make for You?

You can indicate on your My Care Advance Directive the types of decisions your health care agent can make. They could include:

• Choosing your doctors and where you’ll receive care
• Speaking with your medical providers
• Deciding about tests, medicine, and surgery you could have
• Planning for your medical care in California or another state
• Reviewing and releasing your medical record
• Palanning for care in a nursing home or residential care facility
• Making arrangements if you die

Who Can Be Your Health Care Agent?

A family member, friend or someone who:

• Is 18 years or older
• Knows you well
• Agrees to accept this responsibility
• Can be trusted to honor your wishes and values
• Can make difficult decisions in stressful situations
• Can be calm and think clearly when talking with your medical providers, family, and friends
• Can be contacted easily by your medical providers

Who Cannot be Your Health Care Agent?

• Your doctor
• Someone who works at the hospital, clinic, or facility where you receive medical care, unless he or she is a family member or registered domestic partner

Can You Have More Than One Health Care Agent?

It’s important you choose one person to be your health care agent. Often, when patients choose more than one health care agent it can be difficult during a medical crisis to reach everyone, for everyone to agree, and for everyone to be calm and think clearly during a difficult situation.

You can choose a second and third health care agent for medical providers to contact in case your first health care agent is unavailable. Be sure to discuss your health care decisions with your second and third health care agents too.