Patient Advocate (Medical Power of Attorney)
A Patient Advocate is a document you sign in front of two (2) witnesses indicating your choice for an agent to speak for you in medical situations when you are unable to speak for yourself. Your Patient Advocate may act on a temporary or permanent basis. However, if you are able to understand and communicate your wishes to your doctor, you will make medical decisions for yourself and not your Patient Advocate. In Michigan, a Patient Advocate designation must be executed in the presence of and signed by two witnesses. The law restricts who qualifies as a witness. Specifically, none of the following people may witness the execution of a Patient Advocate designation:
In addition, witnesses may not sign the Patient Advocate unless the patient appears to be of sound mind and under no duress, fraud, or undue influence. MCL 700.5506(4). The document does not need to be notarized. We recommend each of our client’s execute a Patient Advocate long before the need arises so that you may consider your options and review your specific wishes with your loved ones and doctor well in advance of any treatment, procedure or hospital stay. Your attorney will go over your options with you at the initial interview appointment. Your attorney will also explain other documents you may want to sign, such as allowing release of medical records, mental health treatment or even in support of a decision for no life support when doctors have determined all “hope is gone”.
Once you execute your Patient Advocate, your agent and/or alternate agents need to sign (no witness required) an acceptance of designation of Patient Advocate. You should provide copies of the fully executed document to your doctor and your agent or agents. We recommend that you keep your original Patient Advocate somewhere safe with your other important papers at home. You should periodically review your Patient Advocate to make certain your wishes and selection of agents has not changed. If you are ready to designate your Patient Advocate, please call PLANNING FOR YOUR FUTURE at (248)497-6901.
A Patient Advocate is a document you sign in front of two (2) witnesses indicating your choice for an agent to speak for you in medical situations when you are unable to speak for yourself. Your Patient Advocate may act on a temporary or permanent basis. However, if you are able to understand and communicate your wishes to your doctor, you will make medical decisions for yourself and not your Patient Advocate. In Michigan, a Patient Advocate designation must be executed in the presence of and signed by two witnesses. The law restricts who qualifies as a witness. Specifically, none of the following people may witness the execution of a Patient Advocate designation:
- the patient’s spouse
- the patient’s parent
- the patient’s child
- the patient’s grandchild
- the patient’s sibling
- the patient’s presumptive heir
- the patient’s known devisee
- the patient’s physician
- the patient’s patient advocate
- an employee of the patient’s life or health insurance provider
- an employee of the health facility that is treating the patient
- an employee of a “home for the aged” where the patient resides
- an employee of a community mental health services program or hospital providing mental health services to the patient
In addition, witnesses may not sign the Patient Advocate unless the patient appears to be of sound mind and under no duress, fraud, or undue influence. MCL 700.5506(4). The document does not need to be notarized. We recommend each of our client’s execute a Patient Advocate long before the need arises so that you may consider your options and review your specific wishes with your loved ones and doctor well in advance of any treatment, procedure or hospital stay. Your attorney will go over your options with you at the initial interview appointment. Your attorney will also explain other documents you may want to sign, such as allowing release of medical records, mental health treatment or even in support of a decision for no life support when doctors have determined all “hope is gone”.
Once you execute your Patient Advocate, your agent and/or alternate agents need to sign (no witness required) an acceptance of designation of Patient Advocate. You should provide copies of the fully executed document to your doctor and your agent or agents. We recommend that you keep your original Patient Advocate somewhere safe with your other important papers at home. You should periodically review your Patient Advocate to make certain your wishes and selection of agents has not changed. If you are ready to designate your Patient Advocate, please call PLANNING FOR YOUR FUTURE at (248)497-6901.