Comprehensive Guide to Healthcare Power of Attorney in Pigeon Forge
A healthcare power of attorney is a legal document that allows an individual to appoint someone to make medical decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so. In Pigeon Forge and across Tennessee, having a clear and properly executed healthcare power of attorney helps families avoid confusion during stressful medical situations. This page explains how a healthcare power of attorney works, who can serve as an agent, and key considerations when choosing someone to act on your behalf. It also outlines how our practice supports local residents in preparing documents that reflect their wishes and reduce uncertainty for loved ones.
Preparing a healthcare power of attorney involves thoughtful decisions about medical preferences, the scope of authority, and selecting a trusted agent to carry out your wishes. Residents of Pigeon Forge often seek guidance to ensure their documents comply with Tennessee law and will be recognized by hospitals and medical providers. This guide covers practical steps to create or update a healthcare power of attorney, discusses common pitfalls to avoid, and suggests questions to ask when selecting an agent. Our goal is to provide clear information so you can make informed choices about your healthcare planning.
Why a Healthcare Power of Attorney Matters for You and Your Family
A healthcare power of attorney provides peace of mind by designating a person to make medical decisions if you cannot speak for yourself. This designation helps ensure your medical preferences are followed and reduces conflict among family members. It can also speed decision-making during emergencies and help healthcare providers know who has legal authority to communicate about your care. For those with chronic conditions, upcoming surgeries, or advanced age, the document can be especially important. Creating a healthcare power of attorney also complements other planning documents and helps align medical decision-making with your overall wishes for care.
About Jay Johnson Law Firm and Our Approach to Healthcare Powers of Attorney
Jay Johnson Law Firm serves individuals and families in Tennessee, providing practical assistance with estate planning and probate matters including healthcare powers of attorney. Our approach emphasizes clear communication, careful drafting, and ensuring documents reflect your specific instructions. We work with clients in Hendersonville and surrounding communities, including Pigeon Forge, to explain options, review forms for compliance with state law, and help clients select appropriate agents. Throughout the process we focus on reducing stress for clients and their loved ones by preparing documents that will be effective when needed.
A healthcare power of attorney is a legal instrument that names an individual to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. The document typically specifies when the agent’s authority begins and whether it is immediate or only upon certain conditions. It can include limitations or guidance about treatment preferences and end-of-life care. In Tennessee, proper execution and clear language help ensure that medical providers and hospitals accept the agent’s authority. Understanding these boundaries helps you create a document that accurately reflects your wishes and functions smoothly when needed.
When preparing a healthcare power of attorney, it is important to consider who will act as your agent, how broad their authority should be, and any specific instructions you want included. You can grant authority over routine decisions as well as major medical interventions, or you can narrow the scope to certain matters. The document can also include successor agents in case the first choice is unavailable. Taking time to discuss preferences with your chosen agent and writing those wishes clearly into the document minimizes confusion and ensures your healthcare decisions are handled in a way that matches your values.
Definition and Key Features of a Healthcare Power of Attorney
A healthcare power of attorney formally appoints an agent to make health care decisions for you when you cannot do so. This document differs from a living will in that it names a decision-maker rather than only listing specific treatments you do or do not want. It often complements a living will or advance directive so that your agent can interpret and apply your wishes in unforeseen circumstances. The document should state the agent’s authority, any limitations, and whether the authority is immediate or contingent on incapacity. Clear language and proper signatures are essential for the document to function as intended.
Key Elements and the Process of Establishing a Healthcare Power of Attorney
Creating a healthcare power of attorney involves several steps: choosing an agent, drafting the document to reflect your preferences, including any limitations or instructions, signing the document according to Tennessee requirements, and providing copies to your agent and medical providers. The document should also identify successor agents and any conditions under which the agent’s authority takes effect. Reviewing and updating the document periodically ensures it remains current with your relationships and medical wishes. Communicating openly with the person you name helps them understand your values and how you want decisions handled.
Key Terms and Glossary for Healthcare Powers of Attorney
This glossary defines terms you will encounter when creating a healthcare power of attorney and related advance care planning documents. Knowing these terms helps when you discuss options with family or legal advisors. Definitions here are intended to clarify common language and to help you recognize how different documents interact, such as the distinction between appointing an agent and setting out specific treatment preferences. Clear understanding of these terms makes it easier to prepare documents that will be followed by medical providers and respected by loved ones.
Agent
An agent is the person you appoint in a healthcare power of attorney to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. The agent should be someone you trust to act according to your values and wishes. It is helpful to choose a person who can communicate effectively with healthcare providers and family members, and who is willing to accept the responsibility. You may name backup agents in case the primary agent is unavailable, and you can include guidance about your preferences so the agent has a clear reference when making decisions.
Advance Directive
An advance directive is a general term for documents that record your healthcare preferences in advance of incapacity. This can include a living will and a healthcare power of attorney. A living will typically expresses specific wishes about medical treatments, while a healthcare power of attorney names an agent to make decisions. Together these documents provide both direction and decision-making authority, helping ensure providers and loved ones understand and carry out your wishes when you cannot speak for yourself. Making these documents part of your medical record helps ensure they are followed.
Living Will
A living will is a document that states your preferences for certain medical treatments, particularly in situations involving life-sustaining measures and end-of-life care. It complements a healthcare power of attorney by providing guidance the agent can use to make decisions. A living will may address preferences about resuscitation, artificial nutrition or hydration, and other interventions. Including clear, specific instructions in a living will helps reduce uncertainty and provides a reference for medical providers and the person you appoint to make decisions for you.
Implied or Contingent Authority
Implied or contingent authority refers to when an agent’s decision-making powers become effective. Some healthcare powers of attorney grant authority immediately, while others are contingent upon a physician or attending medical professional determining that you are incapacitated. The document should state how incapacity is determined and whether one or more medical professionals need to confirm it. Clarifying these details helps avoid disputes and ensures that the agent’s authority is recognized by healthcare facilities when decisions must be made.
Comparing Healthcare Power of Attorney Options and Related Documents
When considering advance care planning, people often weigh the benefits of a healthcare power of attorney against having only a living will or relying on informal family discussions. A healthcare power of attorney provides a designated decision-maker who can address unanticipated situations, while a living will offers specific guidance about treatments. Some people choose both to ensure clarity and flexibility. Understanding the differences and how the documents interact helps you select the combination that best fits your circumstances and ensures your wishes can be followed in a variety of medical situations.
When a Limited Approach May Be Appropriate:
Simple Situations and Clear Preferences
A limited approach, such as a basic living will without a designated agent, may be adequate when your preferences for end-of-life treatment are very specific and unlikely to require interpretation. If you are comfortable with a narrow set of instructions that cover foreseeable scenarios and you have strong, documented preferences, a simple document might suffice. However, it is important to understand that unexpected medical situations may arise that fall outside the scenarios you described, and without an appointed decision-maker, family members and providers may face uncertainty about how to proceed.
Low Likelihood of Incapacity or Strong Family Consensus
Some individuals feel a limited approach is acceptable when they have a low risk of incapacity and family members agree on likely choices. In such situations, a succinct living will or medical directive can express clear preferences and minimize complexity. Even so, relying solely on familial agreement may lead to misunderstandings in emergencies or when relationships change. Having written documentation that providers recognize helps ensure decisions align with your wishes when you cannot speak for yourself and reduces the chance of conflicting interpretations among relatives.
When a More Comprehensive Plan Is Advisable:
Complex Medical Conditions or Uncertain Preferences
A comprehensive plan that includes both a healthcare power of attorney and a living will is often recommended when medical conditions are complex or when future circumstances are uncertain. Naming an agent provides flexibility so an informed person can interpret and apply your preferences in situations you did not foresee. Detailed planning helps address scenarios that single documents or informal discussions may not cover and reduces the likelihood of disputes during stressful medical events. A broader plan ensures decisions can be made efficiently and in alignment with your values.
High Stakes Situations and Avoiding Family Conflict
When medical decisions could have significant consequences or when family dynamics are complicated, a comprehensive set of documents provides clarity and authority to act. Naming an agent and recording specific treatment preferences together help prevent disagreements and create a clear path for healthcare providers to follow. Preparing these documents in advance reduces stress for family members and ensures that decisions are made by someone you trust, who has legal authority to communicate with providers and carry out your stated wishes in a challenging time.
Benefits of a Comprehensive Healthcare Power of Attorney and Advance Plan
A comprehensive approach combines appointing a trusted decision-maker with written instructions about medical preferences. This combination balances flexibility with clarity: the agent can make judgment calls within the framework you set, and the written directives guide their decisions. Having both documents readily available helps medical staff and family members respond quickly and consistently in emergencies. It also reduces the potential for conflict and ensures your wishes are documented, communicated, and easier to enforce when medical professionals evaluate care options.
Another benefit of a comprehensive plan is that it can be tailored over time as your health and relationships change. Periodic review ensures the person named as agent remains appropriate and that instructions reflect your current values. Making copies available to loved ones and healthcare providers improves the chance that your preferences will be known and followed. A thoughtful plan also makes transitions smoother if you move between care settings or encounter different medical teams who need quick access to your directives and the authority to act on them.
Clear Decision-Making Authority
Designating a healthcare agent establishes who has legal authority to make decisions, which helps avoid delays and disagreements during urgent situations. Clear authority allows medical teams to work with one representative and reduces the risk of contradictory instructions from multiple relatives. This clarity is especially important in hospitals or clinics that require formal documentation before discussing or implementing certain treatments. A documented agent ensures communication channels are straightforward and that decisions align with the preferences you recorded in your planning documents.
Peace of Mind for You and Your Family
Knowing that someone you trust is authorized to make healthcare decisions provides reassurance to you and your loved ones. Preparing a comprehensive plan can ease the emotional burden on family members who might otherwise face difficult choices without guidance. When your wishes are documented and an agent is empowered to act, families can focus on supporting each other and following your preferences rather than debating what to do. This preparation can reduce stress and provide a clearer path forward during medical crises.
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Practical Tips for Preparing a Healthcare Power of Attorney
Select an Accessible and Trustworthy Agent
Choose someone who knows your values and is willing to communicate with medical providers and family members. It helps to pick an agent who is geographically available or comfortable using phone and video calls during emergencies. Discuss your preferences in detail so the person understands how you want decisions handled and when to involve other family members. Naming one primary agent and one or two successors provides continuity if the first choice is unavailable. Clear communication in advance reduces the likelihood of stress and misinterpretation when decisions must be made.
Document Specific Preferences and Share Copies
Review and Update Your Documents Periodically
Life changes such as new diagnoses, changes in relationships, or moving to a different area can affect the suitability of your chosen agent or the relevance of your instructions. Review your healthcare power of attorney and related documents every few years or after major life events. Updating the documents ensures they reflect your current wishes and that your agent remains someone you trust. Regular review helps prevent confusion and ensures your planning continues to serve its intended purpose as circumstances change.
Reasons to Create a Healthcare Power of Attorney in Pigeon Forge
Creating a healthcare power of attorney is an important step in protecting your medical preferences and reducing burdens on loved ones. It designates who will speak for you if you cannot, which helps medical teams know who to contact and rely upon for decisions. This planning can be especially important before major medical procedures, for those with chronic conditions, or for anyone who wants to set clear expectations for care. Taking this step helps ensure your values guide medical decisions and provides guidance and authority during stressful situations.
Another reason to consider a healthcare power of attorney is to avoid ambiguity in emergency situations where quick decisions are needed. With a formal document in place, hospitals and providers can recognize the appointed agent and proceed according to your preferences. This reduces the time family members spend disputing choices and helps ensure continuity of care. Preparing a healthcare power of attorney as part of a broader estate plan also helps create a cohesive set of instructions for both financial and medical decision-making while you still can communicate your wishes.
Common Situations When a Healthcare Power of Attorney Is Needed
A healthcare power of attorney is commonly used when individuals face major surgery, chronic illness, or conditions that could lead to temporary or permanent incapacity. It is also valuable for older adults who may want a designated person to manage complex medical decisions. Emergencies such as accidents that leave someone unconscious are another reason to have the document ready. In each case, having a named agent and clear written instructions helps ensure that medical choices reflect the patient’s wishes and are handled without unnecessary delay or family conflict.
Planned Major Surgery
Before undergoing major surgery, it is wise to have a healthcare power of attorney in place so that a designated person can make decisions if complications arise. Hospitals often require documentation to communicate with family members and make certain choices on behalf of an incapacitated patient. By preparing in advance, you ensure the person who understands your preferences can act promptly and that medical teams have a clear point of contact during the perioperative period. This preparation helps maintain continuity of care and protects your healthcare intentions.
Chronic or Progressive Illness
Individuals with chronic or progressive conditions benefit from naming a healthcare agent who can make informed decisions as health changes over time. A designated agent can work with physicians to interpret how your wishes apply to evolving medical situations, coordinate with specialists, and manage transitions between care settings. Having a documented agent reduces uncertainty and helps ensure that long-term care choices, including changes to treatment plans, are made by someone who knows your priorities and can act in accordance with your values.
Emergency Situations
Emergencies such as traumatic injury or sudden illness can leave you unable to communicate your preferences, and quick decisions may be required. A healthcare power of attorney gives a named person the authority to speak with providers and make choices that reflect your wishes. This avoids delays while family members determine who should decide and helps medical teams follow a single, legally recognized directive. Preparing ahead ensures that decisions made in urgent situations align with your values and reduces stress on loved ones.
Healthcare Power of Attorney Services for Pigeon Forge Residents
Jay Johnson Law Firm provides practical assistance to residents of Pigeon Forge in preparing healthcare powers of attorney and related advance planning documents. We help clients understand the options, draft documents that reflect their wishes and comply with Tennessee law, and discuss selection of appropriate agents. Our goal is to make the process straightforward and to ensure your medical preferences are documented and accessible to providers and family members when needed. We also assist with updates and review of existing documents to keep them current.
Why Choose Jay Johnson Law Firm for Healthcare Power of Attorney Matters
Choosing a legal advisor for estate planning matters means working with someone who communicates clearly and prepares documents that are effective in practice. Jay Johnson Law Firm focuses on helping clients in Tennessee understand their options, choose appropriate agents, and draft language that medical providers will accept. We emphasize a straightforward process that respects your values and provides practical guidance for preparing documents that can be relied upon when decisions must be made by others on your behalf.
Our team assists with more than drafting: we review existing documents, suggest updates, and help clients create a complete plan that includes related directives and estate planning instruments. We encourage clients to discuss their wishes with appointed agents and family members and make sure copies of documents are shared with relevant parties. This comprehensive approach helps reduce confusion and improves the likelihood that your healthcare preferences will be honored when it matters most.
For residents of Pigeon Forge and surrounding Tennessee communities, we provide guidance tailored to local healthcare settings and common concerns people face when planning for medical decisions. We prioritize clear advice and practical steps that help put your documents into effect, including recommendations on where to store copies and how to communicate your wishes. Our goal is to support families in creating planning documents that are dependable during emergencies and other difficult circumstances.
Contact Jay Johnson Law Firm to Prepare or Review Your Healthcare Power of Attorney
How We Prepare a Healthcare Power of Attorney at Jay Johnson Law Firm
Our process begins with a discussion about your medical values, any current health concerns, and who you would like to appoint as agent. We explain document options, draft a healthcare power of attorney that reflects your wishes, and review the language to ensure clarity and compliance with Tennessee requirements. After signing, we recommend sharing copies with your agent, family, and medical providers and placing a copy in your permanent records. We also advise periodic review so the documents remain up to date with your circumstances.
Initial Consultation and Information Gathering
The first step is a conversation about your goals, medical preferences, and the people you are considering as agents. We gather information about your health, any existing directives, and your priorities for care. This stage helps identify what should be included in the document and whether additional documents, such as a living will, should be prepared. Clear communication at this stage ensures the resulting document aligns with your values and provides the agent with needed guidance.
Discussing Preferences and Potential Agents
During the initial meeting we review scenarios that may arise and discuss the qualities to look for in an agent. We encourage clients to speak with potential agents beforehand to ensure they are willing and able to accept the role. This discussion also identifies any specific treatment preferences you want documented and whether successor agents should be named. Considering these matters early reduces the chance of conflict and helps create a document tailored to your needs.
Reviewing Existing Documents and Medical History
We review any existing advance directives, powers of attorney, or estate planning documents to determine whether updates are necessary. Understanding your medical history and current conditions helps ensure the document addresses likely scenarios and includes relevant instructions. If prior documents exist, we discuss how to revoke or amend them so the new documents are legally effective and consistent across your planning. This review helps create a cohesive plan that medical providers and family members can follow.
Drafting and Reviewing the Document
After gathering information, we prepare a healthcare power of attorney tailored to your preferences and Tennessee law. The draft includes the scope of authority, any limitations, successor agent designations, and instructions about when the authority takes effect. We review the document with you to ensure the language is clear and reflects your intentions. Making thoughtful choices about scope and conditions at this stage reduces ambiguity and improves the document’s effectiveness when it is needed.
Customizing Authority and Instructions
We help define the agent’s authority so it aligns with your comfort level, whether broad decision-making powers or limited authority for specific situations. Customization can include detailed instructions about treatment preferences, appointment of successor agents, and specifications for how incapacity is determined. Clear drafting helps avoid differing interpretations by family or medical staff and makes it easier for your agent to act confidently in difficult circumstances.
Ensuring Legal Formalities and Acceptance
Proper execution is required for the document to be recognized by healthcare providers and institutions. We ensure signatures, witness requirements, and any notarization conform to Tennessee law. We also advise on how to distribute copies to hospitals, doctors, and family members so the document can be accessed when needed. Addressing these formalities improves the likelihood that your agent’s authority will be accepted promptly in medical settings.
Execution, Distribution, and Ongoing Review
Once the document is executed, we recommend sharing copies with the appointed agent, successor agents, primary care physicians, and close family members. Keeping the document in accessible but secure locations and informing loved ones of its existence helps ensure it will be used when needed. We also advise periodic review to confirm the agent remains appropriate and instructions still reflect your wishes. Updating documents after major life changes maintains their relevance and effectiveness for future decisions.
Providing Copies to Medical Providers
After signing, provide copies of the healthcare power of attorney to your primary care provider, relevant specialists, and local hospital records when possible. This facilitates quick access by medical teams and helps ensure the document is considered in treatment planning. Informing the staff about the existence of the document and the identity of your agent enables medical personnel to coordinate with the designated decision-maker without delay, which can be especially important during urgent or time-sensitive situations.
Regular Reviews and Amendments
Reviewing the document every few years or after significant life events ensures it continues to reflect your wishes and that your chosen agent remains appropriate. If you wish to change the agent or update your instructions, amendments or a new document can be executed to replace the prior version. Regular review also gives you the opportunity to reaffirm your choices and share any updates with medical providers and family members so everyone remains informed and prepared.
Frequently Asked Questions About Healthcare Powers of Attorney
What is a healthcare power of attorney and how does it differ from a living will?
A healthcare power of attorney is a legal document that names an agent to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot do so. It grants decision-making authority and can be drafted to specify when that authority is effective. A living will, by contrast, records your specific treatment preferences, particularly regarding life-sustaining measures and end-of-life care. The two documents are complementary: the living will provides guidance and the healthcare power of attorney provides a decision-maker who can interpret and apply that guidance in unforeseen situations. Having both documents gives flexibility and clarity. The agent named in a healthcare power of attorney can follow the instructions in a living will and make judgments about situations not expressly covered. Together they reduce uncertainty for medical providers and family members and help ensure that decisions reflect your values and priorities when you cannot speak for yourself.
Who should I choose as my healthcare agent and what should I discuss with them?
When choosing an agent, pick someone you trust to carry out your wishes and who can communicate effectively with medical professionals and family. Consider their willingness to serve, their availability, and their ability to make difficult decisions under stress. It can be helpful to select a primary agent plus one or more successors in case the first choice is unavailable. Discussing your values and preferences with the person you name is essential so they understand what matters most to you. Explain specific scenarios you want them to consider and provide written guidance or a living will to supplement their authority. This conversation helps the agent feel prepared and reduces the likelihood of uncertainty or disagreement among family members during an emergency. Clear communication before an event ensures the agent can act confidently and in accordance with your wishes.
When does an agent’s authority begin and how is incapacity determined?
An agent’s authority may begin immediately upon signing or only if and when you become incapacitated, depending on how the document is written. Some people prefer immediate authority for routine decisions, while others limit authority to situations confirmed by a physician. The document should specify how incapacity is determined, whether by one or more healthcare providers, or by particular conditions. Clear criteria help avoid disputes and provide medical staff with a basis to accept the agent’s authority when needed. Discussing the intended trigger for authority and including straightforward language in the document reduces ambiguity. If incapacity must be certified, naming who can make that determination and how it should be documented clarifies the process for hospitals and family members, which helps ensure timely and accepted decision-making.
Can I limit the powers of my healthcare agent?
Yes, you can limit the powers of your healthcare agent by specifying particular authorities you want them to have or restrictions on decisions they may make. For example, you can allow an agent to make routine care decisions but restrict authority over certain life-sustaining treatments, or you can direct the agent to follow stated preferences in a living will. Drafting clear limitations and instructions reduces ambiguity and guides the agent when making difficult choices. Be mindful that overly narrow limitations may make it harder for the agent to respond to unexpected circumstances. Including alternate or successor agents and offering detailed guidance balances control with practical flexibility so your preferences are respected while allowing decisions to be made effectively in real situations.
Do Tennessee hospitals recognize healthcare powers of attorney from other states?
Tennessee hospitals generally recognize valid healthcare powers of attorney executed in other states if the documents meet basic legal standards and clearly appoint an agent. The rules can vary, and some facilities may have specific requirements for accepting out-of-state forms. To avoid problems, it is helpful to review the document with a local advisor and consider executing a Tennessee-compliant version if you regularly receive care in Tennessee facilities. When traveling or relocating, carrying a copy of the document and informing your healthcare providers or the hospital where you plan to seek care can reduce delays. Having the document available and ensuring it clearly names an agent and states your intentions makes it easier for medical personnel to accept and follow the authority granted.
How do I update or revoke a healthcare power of attorney?
You can update or revoke a healthcare power of attorney at any time while you have capacity by executing a new document or a written revocation that follows Tennessee requirements. It is important to notify the previously appointed agent, successor agents, healthcare providers, and family members about the change and to provide copies of the new document. Clear communication helps prevent confusion if decisions must be made and ensures that providers recognize the most recent instructions. If you choose to replace the document, follow the proper signing and witnessing procedures for the new form. Keeping a record of the revocation and distributing the updated document reduces the risk that an outdated version will be used and helps ensure your current wishes are followed.
Should I have both a living will and a healthcare power of attorney?
Having both a living will and a healthcare power of attorney is often recommended because they serve complementary roles. A living will records specific treatment preferences, while a healthcare power of attorney names an agent to interpret those preferences and make decisions when scenarios arise that you did not anticipate. Together they provide both direction and decision-making authority, helping ensure your medical wishes are understood and followed by providers and family members. This combined approach offers flexibility and clarity: the agent can apply your stated preferences to complex or changing circumstances, while the living will provides concrete guidance for core decisions. Preparing both documents reduces uncertainty and creates a stronger plan for future healthcare decisions.
What happens if I do not have a healthcare power of attorney?
If you do not have a healthcare power of attorney and become incapacitated, decisions about your medical care may fall to family members under state default rules, which can lead to delays or disputes. Hospitals may rely on next of kin or court-appointed guardians to make decisions. This process can be time-consuming and may not reflect the choices you would have made. The absence of a designated agent increases the risk of disagreement among relatives about what course of treatment to follow. Creating a healthcare power of attorney in advance allows you to choose a trusted decision-maker and provide written guidance. This avoids reliance on default rules and helps ensure decisions are consistent with your values, reducing stress for loved ones during a difficult time.
How should I store and share my healthcare power of attorney?
Store the original signed healthcare power of attorney in a safe but accessible place and provide copies to your appointed agent, successor agents, primary care physician, and relevant medical providers. Consider placing a copy in your permanent medical record at your primary care office or hospital if possible. Carrying a wallet card or creating a digital copy that can be accessed by family members or medical personnel provides quick confirmation of the document’s existence and the identity of your agent when time is limited. Inform family members and the person you name as agent where the original is kept and how to access copies. Regularly review who has copies and update distribution when the document changes so the most current version is available when needed.
Will my healthcare power of attorney cover decisions about mental health treatment?
A healthcare power of attorney can address decisions about mental health treatment to the extent permitted by Tennessee law and the specific language used in the document. You may include instructions about psychiatric care, medication, and other mental health interventions, and you can grant your agent the authority to make such decisions. It is important to be explicit about the scope of authority and any limitations you wish to impose to avoid uncertainty during crises involving mental health. Because laws and institutional policies regarding mental health treatment can vary, discussing your wishes with clinical providers and specifying clear directions in the document helps ensure your preferences are understood and followed. Including relevant medical information and notifying providers about the agent and document copies improves coordination of care in situations where mental health decisions are required.