A Practical Guide to Healthcare Power of Attorney in Cookeville, Tennessee
If you are planning for your future health decisions in Putnam County, a healthcare power of attorney is an essential legal document that appoints someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf. This guide explains the role of the healthcare agent, how the document works under Tennessee law, and why having clear instructions can reduce stress for family members at difficult times. Jay Johnson Law Firm in Hendersonville assists residents of Cookeville with straightforward drafting, thoughtful planning, and coordination with other estate planning tools to make sure your wishes are known and respected by medical providers and loved ones.
Preparing a healthcare power of attorney involves more than naming a decision maker. It requires clear communication about medical preferences, values, and the circumstances under which the agent should act. This paragraph outlines how to choose an agent, what powers you may grant, and steps to ensure the document will be accepted by hospitals and clinics in Tennessee. Our approach emphasizes practical clarity, advance planning, and ongoing review so your healthcare instructions remain up to date as laws or personal circumstances change over time.
Why a Healthcare Power of Attorney Matters for You and Your Family
A well-drafted healthcare power of attorney brings peace of mind by ensuring someone you trust can make medical decisions when you cannot. It reduces uncertainty for family members and helps avoid court involvement in times when quick decisions are needed. This document can address hospitalization, long-term care, life-sustaining treatment preferences, and coordination with other advance directives. For many Cookeville residents, having a healthcare agent identified and a written plan in place protects personal dignity and preserves the family’s focus on care instead of procedural disputes, reducing stress during emergencies and medical crises.
About Jay Johnson Law Firm and Our Approach to Healthcare Planning
Jay Johnson Law Firm provides practical, compassionate estate planning and probate services for clients across Tennessee, including Cookeville and Putnam County. We help clients prepare healthcare power of attorney documents that reflect personal values and medical preferences while coordinating with living wills and broader estate plans. Our team emphasizes clear communication, responsiveness, and attention to procedural requirements so documents will be accepted by medical facilities. We also guide clients through updates as circumstances change, and we maintain accessibility by phone at 731-206-9700 for questions or to schedule consultations about healthcare planning.
Understanding the Healthcare Power of Attorney Process
A healthcare power of attorney allows you to appoint an agent to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make them yourself. It covers treatment choices, hospital transfers, and coordination with care teams, and it can work alongside a living will to communicate end-of-life preferences. Under Tennessee law, certain formalities may be required for the document to be valid and accepted by providers. Our role is to ensure your document is clear, legally compliant, and tailored to your wishes so that medical staff and family members understand the authority and limits of the appointed agent.
When drafting a healthcare power of attorney, it is important to consider who will serve as your agent, alternate agents, and how broadly you want to grant decision-making authority. Many clients choose someone with clear communication skills, availability, and shared values about medical care. The document can be drafted to include guidance on life-sustaining treatments, organ donation preferences, and other determinations. Regular review of the document is recommended to reflect changes in health, relationships, or personal preferences, and to avoid disputes during times of stress or emergency.
What a Healthcare Power of Attorney Actually Does
A healthcare power of attorney is a legal instrument that names a trusted person to act as your healthcare agent when you are incapacitated. The agent is authorized to communicate with healthcare providers, review medical records as allowed by law, and make treatment decisions consistent with your stated wishes. It differs from a living will by focusing on the agent’s decision-making role rather than listing every possible preference. Properly crafted language can specify limitations, require consultation with family, or direct the agent to follow an attached statement of values and instructions about specific treatments or procedures.
Key Elements of a Valid Healthcare Power of Attorney
A valid healthcare power of attorney typically includes your name, the agent’s name and contact information, any alternate agents, and specific powers granted or withheld. It must meet Tennessee signing and witnessing requirements to be accepted by medical institutions. The document can state when it becomes effective, whether immediately or only upon incapacity, and whether the agent has authority over decisions related to life-sustaining treatment. Including clear revocation instructions and guidance for agents helps prevent uncertainty. Filing or sharing the completed document with primary care physicians and family members increases the likelihood your wishes will be followed.
Key Terms and Glossary for Healthcare Power of Attorney
Understanding the language used in advance care planning helps you make informed choices. This section defines common terms such as agent, principal, incapacity, and living will so you know how they apply to your healthcare power of attorney. Clear definitions reduce confusion when communicating with medical providers and loved ones, and they help ensure your document’s instructions are followed. Reviewing these terms can also highlight parts of the document you may want to customize to reflect personal values, religious beliefs, or specific medical preferences.
Agent
The term agent refers to the person you appoint to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. The agent should be someone you trust to represent your wishes and communicate with medical providers. When selecting an agent, consider their availability, willingness to accept the responsibility, and how well they understand your values about medical treatment. Naming an alternate agent can offer continuity if the primary agent is unavailable. Providing written guidance to the agent helps ensure their decisions align with your preferences and reduces burden on family members during stressful times.
Incapacity
Incapacity describes the condition in which an individual cannot understand or communicate healthcare decisions due to illness, injury, or cognitive impairment. Determinations of incapacity are typically made by physicians or medical teams following established clinical criteria. A healthcare power of attorney often specifies when the agent’s authority becomes effective, which can be immediate or contingent upon a determination of incapacity. Including language about who can make that determination, and whether a second opinion is required, can offer clarity and reduce disputes among family members and care providers.
Principal
The principal is the person who creates the healthcare power of attorney and grants authority to another to make medical decisions on their behalf. As principal, you can outline preferences, set limitations on the agent’s authority, and revoke or amend the document while you are able to make your own decisions. Keeping the document accessible and informing your agent and close family members about your choices ensures that your wishes will be known. Periodic review of the document is recommended to reflect any changes in health, relationships, or treatment preferences.
Living Will
A living will is a written statement that describes your preferences for life-sustaining treatments in specific circumstances and usually companions a healthcare power of attorney. While the living will sets out treatment wishes, the healthcare power of attorney designates an agent to interpret and implement those wishes when you cannot speak for yourself. Combining both documents provides both instructions and a decision maker, which helps medical providers and family members respond consistently to your values. Keeping both documents updated and accessible increases the chance your directions are followed.
Comparing Healthcare Planning Options in Tennessee
When planning for future medical care, you can choose from several tools including healthcare power of attorney, living wills, and advance directives. Each serves a different purpose: a healthcare power of attorney appoints an agent, a living will states treatment preferences, and an advance directive may combine elements of both. Choosing the right combination depends on personal values, the level of detail you want to provide, and family dynamics. Discussing options with trusted advisors and considering scenarios that may arise helps you build a cohesive plan that providers and loved ones can follow without confusion.
When a Limited Healthcare Directive May Be Appropriate:
Appropriate Scenarios for a Narrow Directive
A narrower approach may work well for people who prefer to leave most decisions to their treating physicians but want to name a single person to handle administrative tasks and immediate decisions. This option suits individuals with strong trust in their medical team and who anticipate only routine situations. It can reduce paperwork and keep decisions in the hands of professionals while providing a clear contact for hospitals. Clear written instructions about the limited scope of authority and how long it applies help avoid misunderstandings between the agent, family, and care providers.
Choosing Limited Authority to Preserve Medical Judgment
Some people prefer to restrict an agent’s authority to specific categories of decisions to maintain medical decision-making aligned with clinician recommendations. For example, granting authority only for consent to routine procedures or communication with providers maintains clinician control over complex treatment choices. This approach can work when you trust the healthcare team but want someone designated to act promptly on logistical or consent matters. Expressing preferences for broader care in a separate document or conversation can provide guidance without broad transfer of decision-making power.
When a Comprehensive Healthcare Plan Is Recommended:
Complex Medical or Family Situations
A comprehensive planning approach is often advisable when medical conditions are complex, family relationships are complicated, or when detailed preferences are important to you. In such cases, combining a healthcare power of attorney with a living will and coordinated estate planning documents helps ensure consistency and reduces the chance of conflict. Thorough planning can also address contingencies such as alternate agents, decision protocols, and guidance for the agent when preferences are not clear. Investing time to clarify these details minimizes disputes and supports better outcomes for both the principal and family.
Integration with Estate and Long-term Care Planning
Healthcare decisions are often intertwined with financial and long-term care considerations, making integrated planning beneficial. A comprehensive plan coordinates powers of attorney for healthcare and finances along with estate planning tools like wills and trusts so decision makers can act effectively on both medical and financial issues. This coordination supports continuity of care and eases administrative burdens for designated decision makers. It also allows for better preparation for potential long-term care costs and the preservation of assets according to your values and goals.
Benefits of Taking a Comprehensive Approach to Healthcare Planning
Taking a comprehensive approach to healthcare planning provides clarity about who will act and how decisions should be made, helping healthcare teams and families respond quickly during emergencies. It reduces the likelihood of conflicting opinions by documenting your preferences and designating a trusted agent to carry them out. Coordination with financial powers of attorney and estate planning documents ensures that medical decisions and access to resources are aligned. Regular review and updating of these documents ensure they continue to reflect current wishes and any changes in health or family circumstances.
A comprehensive plan also protects your privacy by authorizing named individuals to access medical records and speak with providers, which can improve care coordination. It provides practical instructions for end-of-life preferences, organ donation, and other specific choices that matter to you. Having these documents in place reduces stress for loved ones, who may otherwise face uncertainty or conflict. When documents are clear and legally compliant under Tennessee law, medical facilities are more likely to honor your directives without delay or dispute.
Clear Decision-Making and Reduced Family Burden
Clear documentation of your healthcare preferences and an appointed agent reduces the emotional and administrative burden on family members during medical crises. When directions are written and the agent’s authority is documented, family disagreements are less likely to delay critical decisions. This clarity helps medical teams act in a timely way and allows loved ones to focus on supporting the patient rather than resolving legal questions. Providing written guidance and regular conversations with your appointed agent make it more likely that decisions will reflect your values.
Improved Coordination with Medical Providers
A comprehensive healthcare plan improves coordination with doctors, hospitals, and care facilities by providing clear authorizations and contact information for the agent. Providers are more likely to follow documented wishes when the paperwork is complete and properly executed. That reduces delays in treatment and confusion during transitions of care. Maintaining accessible copies of the document with primary care providers and placing instructions in electronic health records where possible increases the chance that your preferences are respected across care settings.
Practice Areas
Top Searched Keywords
- healthcare power of attorney Cookeville
- medical power of attorney Tennessee
- advance directives Putnam County
- living will Cookeville TN
- healthcare agent appointment
- estate planning healthcare decisions
- medical decision maker Tennessee
- end of life planning Cookeville
- Jay Johnson Law Firm healthcare POA
Practical Tips for Managing Your Healthcare Power of Attorney
Choose the right person and communicate clearly
Selecting an agent requires thoughtful consideration of availability, values, and communication skills. Talk with the person you plan to appoint to make sure they understand your preferences and are willing to act when needed. Put written guidance in the document or a companion statement that explains your general medical values and any particular treatments you would want or decline. Keeping family members informed about your decision can reduce misunderstandings. Review the appointment periodically and update alternates if relationships or circumstances change.
Keep documents accessible and share with providers
Review and update as life changes
Life events such as changes in health, moving to a new state, or shifts in family relationships can affect your healthcare planning needs. Review your healthcare power of attorney periodically to verify agent availability and to ensure the document reflects current wishes. If you relocate or if Tennessee law changes, you may need to revise language or re-execute the document. Updating related estate planning documents at the same time fosters consistency and reduces the chance that conflicting instructions will complicate future decisions.
Reasons to Consider a Healthcare Power of Attorney in Cookeville
Anyone over 18 who cares about ensuring their medical wishes are respected should consider a healthcare power of attorney. This document is especially important for individuals with chronic conditions, progressive illnesses, or those undergoing major surgery. It is also valuable for people who travel frequently or live apart from family members. By naming an agent and providing guidance, you reduce the likelihood of court-appointed guardianship and help healthcare teams act efficiently during emergencies. Planning ahead creates greater certainty for you and your loved ones when medical decisions matter most.
Families benefit from advance planning because it reduces emotional strain and provides a clear path for decision-making when a loved one cannot speak for themselves. Even young and healthy adults may want a healthcare power of attorney to ensure decisions can be made without delay if an accident occurs. For parents, naming an agent can protect minor children in situations involving the parent’s incapacity. Discussing preferences with designated decision makers and providing written instructions helps prevent disputes and supports better alignment between personal wishes and medical care.
Common Situations Where a Healthcare Power of Attorney Is Useful
Several common circumstances highlight the importance of a healthcare power of attorney. These include serious illness, sudden injury, progressive cognitive conditions, major surgeries, and end-of-life decision making. A designated agent can step in to communicate with hospitals, consent to or refuse treatments in line with your wishes, and coordinate with family members. Having a clear document avoids delays in care and helps ensure decisions reflect your values rather than leaving them to courts or default family hierarchies that may not align with your preferences.
Serious Illness or Hospitalization
During periods of serious illness or extended hospitalization, being unable to communicate can leave critical decisions in the hands of providers and family members. A healthcare power of attorney designates someone to make choices about treatments, procedures, and discharge planning. This reduces uncertainty and enables the agent to coordinate care decisions promptly. Detailed documentation of treatment preferences and any limitations the principal prefers helps the agent act confidently and in alignment with the principal’s wishes, reducing stress for all involved.
Cognitive Decline or Progressive Conditions
When facing conditions that may impair decision-making over time, such as dementia or other progressive illnesses, having a healthcare power of attorney in place early ensures continuity of care. Naming a trusted agent allows medical decisions to be made according to previously stated wishes, even as communication becomes difficult. Advance planning paired with clear written guidance provides structure for the agent and medical team. Early appointment of an agent can avoid the need for court involvement and help maintain dignity and comfort through the course of the illness.
Planned Surgery or Major Medical Procedures
Patients planning major surgery or complex medical procedures benefit from having a healthcare power of attorney ready in case complications arise. The appointed agent can provide consent, make decisions about postoperative care, and coordinate with specialists if the patient is temporarily unable to decide. Preparing the document beforehand ensures that medical personnel have an authorized point of contact and reduces delays in critical decision-making. Clear directives regarding acceptable outcomes and treatment thresholds help guide the agent during recovery.
Local Legal Support for Healthcare Power of Attorney in Cookeville
Jay Johnson Law Firm serves clients in Cookeville and throughout Putnam County with personalized assistance creating healthcare powers of attorney. We focus on creating documents that are clear, compliant with Tennessee law, and easy for medical providers to follow. Our process includes discussing your values, recommending appropriate language, and ensuring proper execution and distribution of the final document. We also advise on coordinating this document with other planning tools so your healthcare and financial intentions are aligned and accessible when needed by those you trust most.
Why Work with Jay Johnson Law Firm for Your Healthcare Planning
Selecting legal assistance for healthcare directives ensures documents are drafted to meet Tennessee formal requirements and reduce the chance of rejection by hospitals or clinics. Our firm guides clients through selecting an agent, describing preferences, and documenting any limitations. We emphasize clear, practical language that medical staff and family members can follow, and we walk clients through signing and witnessing procedures to provide legal validity and confidence in the document’s enforceability.
Our approach includes personalized consultations to explore treatment preferences, values, and potential scenarios that matter to you. We coordinate healthcare powers of attorney with other estate planning instruments to ensure consistency across documents. We help clients identify suitable alternates and explain how to keep documents current. Our goal is to reduce barriers for decision makers and simplify interactions with providers so that during critical times, decisions are made smoothly and in accordance with your expressed wishes.
Clients also receive practical guidance on how to share the completed document with medical providers and family members, and suggestions for maintaining current copies in accessible locations. We answer questions about how the agent’s authority operates under Tennessee law and what to expect in common medical settings. For those seeking comprehensive planning, we coordinate healthcare powers of attorney with financial powers and estate documents to provide a cohesive plan that protects personal dignity and supports continuity of care.
Ready to Prepare Your Healthcare Power of Attorney? Contact Us
How We Prepare Healthcare Power of Attorney Documents
Our process begins with a private discussion about health preferences, values, and potential decision makers. We explain Tennessee requirements and offer phrasing options tailored to your wishes. After drafting the document, we review it with you and suggest steps for signing, witnessing, and dissemination to providers and family. We also recommend periodic review and provide assistance to update the document as circumstances change. Throughout the process, we prioritize clear communication to ensure the document will be understood and honored when needed.
Step One: Initial Consultation and Planning
The initial consultation gathers information about your preferences, health status, and potential agents. We explore specific medical situations that are important to you and recommend how to document them so your intentions are clear. This conversation helps shape the language used in the document and identifies any related estate planning items to address. We also discuss logistics for signing, witnesses, and how to distribute the final document to relevant parties and medical providers to ensure accessibility when needed.
Discussing Values and Treatment Preferences
During the first meeting, we spend time understanding your values and any preferences related to life-sustaining treatments, pain management, and quality of life. This discussion guides drafting and gives the agent written guidance to follow when making decisions. Clear articulation of values helps prevent ambiguity and supports the agent in difficult conversations with care teams. Documenting preferences in a companion statement can be helpful in conjunction with the formal healthcare power of attorney.
Selecting an Agent and Alternates
We help you identify appropriate agents and alternate agents, discussing availability, communication style, and willingness to serve. We suggest documenting contact information and instructions for how the agent should act. Naming alternates provides continuity if the primary agent is unavailable. Preparing the agent ahead of time by sharing your wishes and the document helps ensure a smoother transition if they must act on your behalf.
Step Two: Drafting and Review
Once preferences and agent selections are clear, we draft the healthcare power of attorney with language tailored to your needs and compliant with Tennessee law. The draft will outline the scope of authority, any limitations, and instructions for the agent. We then review the document with you and make necessary adjustments to ensure clarity. This review phase allows clients to ask questions and confirm that the document reflects their wishes accurately before signing and notarization where required.
Preparing Clear, Unambiguous Language
Drafting focuses on avoiding vague or contradictory terms that could create confusion during an emergency. We use straightforward language to communicate when the agent’s authority begins, specific powers granted, and any restrictions. Including a companion values statement can provide helpful context for decisions that are not covered by explicit instructions. Careful drafting reduces the risk of delays and increases the chance that healthcare providers will follow the document as intended.
Reviewing for Completeness and Compliance
We review the document to ensure it satisfies Tennessee signing and witnessing requirements and addresses foreseeable scenarios. This step includes confirming agent contact details, alternate provisions, and revocation instructions. We advise on whether additional documents, like a living will, should accompany the power of attorney for better clarity. Proper execution and distribution are emphasized so that the directive will be honored across care settings and by different providers.
Step Three: Execution and Distribution
After final approval, we assist with proper signing, witnessing, and notarization where appropriate to ensure the document will be recognized by hospitals and care facilities. We recommend distributing copies to the agent, alternates, primary care physician, and family members and storing a copy in an accessible location. Clients may also choose to upload the document to medical portals when possible and give a wallet card noting the agent’s contact information. These steps increase the likelihood that your instructions are available during critical moments.
Proper Signing and Witnessing
Signing with the required witnesses and following Tennessee formalities helps prevent disputes and ensures medical facilities accept the document. We explain the signature process, who can serve as a witness, and the importance of keeping signed originals. Clients often provide copies to healthcare providers and the designated agent so that the document is accessible when it matters most. Proper execution reduces the chance of administrative hurdles during urgent care situations.
Sharing and Updating the Document
After execution, sharing the document with the agent and family members clarifies expectations and ensures everyone knows where to find it. We recommend periodic review and updating after significant life events or health changes. If you change agents or wishes, revoking the previous document and re-executing a new one prevents confusion. Maintaining current copies with healthcare providers enhances continuity of care and reinforces adherence to your stated preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions about Healthcare Power of Attorney
What is a healthcare power of attorney and why should I have one?
A healthcare power of attorney is a legal document that designates someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot do so yourself. It provides authority for the agent to communicate with providers, consent to or refuse treatments within the scope you set, and access medical information as allowed by law. Having this document prevents delays in care and reduces uncertainty for family members by identifying a clear decision maker during stressful situations.Creating a healthcare power of attorney also allows you to express preferences about treatments and end-of-life care in writing. Sharing the document with your agent and healthcare providers increases the chance that your wishes will be followed and avoids the need for court involvement to appoint a decision maker in Tennessee.
How do I choose the right person to be my healthcare agent?
Choose someone who understands your values, communicates well with medical teams, and is willing to make difficult decisions under pressure. Consider practical factors such as geographic availability, reliability, and the person’s relationship with other family members. It may be helpful to name alternates in case the primary agent is unavailable.Before finalizing your choice, discuss your wishes openly with the proposed agent so they are prepared to act and understand your treatment preferences. Providing written guidance alongside the legal document helps the agent make decisions that more closely reflect your wishes and reduces uncertainty during emergencies.
When does a healthcare agent’s authority begin and how is incapacity determined?
The healthcare agent’s authority may begin immediately upon signing or only after a medical determination of incapacity, depending on the document’s language. Many people prefer the agent’s authority to activate only when a physician or medical team determines the principal cannot make informed decisions. Specifying how incapacity is confirmed in the document can improve clarity.Tennessee hospitals and physicians typically rely on clinical assessments to determine incapacity. Including clear instructions about who can make that determination and whether a second opinion is required can help prevent disputes and ensure a smooth transition to agent decision-making when needed.
Can I limit the decisions my healthcare agent can make?
Yes, you can limit the scope of authority granted to your healthcare agent by including specific restrictions or instructions in the document. For example, you may allow the agent to handle routine care and communication but exclude authority over life-sustaining treatments, or you can require consultation with family members for major decisions. Clear, specific language helps providers and loved ones understand your intentions.Combining limits with a companion values statement can guide the agent when situations arise that the document does not directly address. Thoughtful drafting reduces ambiguity and supports decisions that align with your personal preferences and religious or moral beliefs.
Do hospitals in Tennessee accept out-of-state healthcare power of attorney documents?
Many Tennessee hospitals will accept out-of-state healthcare power of attorney documents if they are valid where they were signed and the content is clear. However, acceptance can vary by institution, and bringing a Tennessee-compliant document can reduce the chance of administrative issues. If you recently moved to Tennessee or split time between states, updating the document to meet Tennessee formalities may be advisable.When traveling or spending time away from home, carry a copy of your document and ensure an agent is reachable. Consulting with a local attorney to confirm validity and to prepare a Tennessee-compliant document can prevent delays in care when location or jurisdiction matters.
How often should I review or update my healthcare power of attorney?
You should review your healthcare power of attorney periodically and after major life events such as changes in health, relationships, or relocation. Regular review helps confirm that the appointed agent remains willing and able to serve, and that the document reflects current wishes. Updating the document when circumstances change prevents confusion and ensures the plan remains effective.A best practice is to review the document every few years or after any significant medical diagnosis or family change. Keeping copies of the latest version with providers and the agent ensures the most current instructions are available when needed.
What happens if I do not have a healthcare power of attorney and become incapacitated?
Without a healthcare power of attorney, medical decisions may fall to family members according to default state rules or require a court-appointed guardian to be named. That process can be time-consuming, costly, and emotionally difficult for loved ones during an emergency. The absence of a designated agent can lead to disagreements among family members about appropriate care.Planning ahead by creating a healthcare power of attorney prevents the need for court intervention and ensures decisions are made by someone you trust. Providing clear written instructions and discussing them with family reduces conflict and supports better decision-making during critical times.
Should I combine a healthcare power of attorney with a living will?
Combining a healthcare power of attorney with a living will is often recommended because the documents serve complementary purposes. The healthcare power of attorney appoints a decision maker while a living will expresses specific treatment preferences. Together they provide both a designated agent and direct instructions for care, which helps medical teams and family members follow your wishes in unforeseen circumstances.Including both documents ensures the agent has guidance and legal authority to act, reducing ambiguity about your preferences for life-sustaining treatments and other critical decisions. This combined approach increases the likelihood that care will align with your values.
Can I revoke or change my healthcare power of attorney?
Yes, you can revoke or change your healthcare power of attorney at any time while you remain capable of making your own decisions. Revocation should be communicated to the current agent, alternates, and healthcare providers, and a new document should be executed if you want to appoint a different agent or alter instructions. Properly destroying previous copies and notifying relevant parties helps avoid confusion.If you move to a different state, consider executing a new document that complies with local requirements. It is also important to update the document after major life events such as marriage, divorce, or changes in health or relationships.
How can Jay Johnson Law Firm help me prepare my healthcare power of attorney?
Jay Johnson Law Firm helps clients in Cookeville and throughout Tennessee prepare clear, compliant healthcare powers of attorney tailored to individual preferences. We guide clients through agent selection, drafting language that reflects values, and ensuring proper execution so the document will be recognized by medical providers. We also advise on distribution to family and healthcare teams to improve accessibility during emergencies.Our assistance includes reviewing related estate planning documents, recommending companion living wills when appropriate, and offering periodic reviews to keep your directives current. For personalized help, call 731-206-9700 to schedule a consultation about your healthcare planning needs.