Episode description
Episode description
In this episode of Repair the Roof, Attorney Ted Gudorf discusses the three legal documents you need to have to make sure your medical decisions are taken care of, whether you’re 18 years old and going off to college, or 95 years old and in a nursing home.
It is extremely important to be clear about whom you want to make medical decisions for you when you can’t, and also to give you some guidance about end-of-life decisions.
The first document is a HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) authorization, through which you designate other individuals to speak with your doctor for information relevant to your medical condition.
The second document is a healthcare power of attorney, through which you designate other individuals to make medical decisions for you if you cannot.
The third document is a living will, which lists your wishes with regard to end-of-life. The living will is different from a pour-over will, which lists the beneficiaries of your probate estate.
Key Topics:
- HIPAA authorization (1:12)
- Healthcare power of attorney (7:11)
- Living will (14:36)
- The difference between these three documents and a DNR (do-not-resuscitate) order (20:21)
Resources: