A Healthcare Power of Attorney (POA), sometimes called Power of Attorney for Healthcare, is a legal document that gives someone else the authority to take decisions about your health and medical care if you become incapacitated.
What is the Difference between a Healthcare Power of Attorney and a Durable Medical Equipment Order (DMEO)?
A Healthcare Power of Attorney (HPA) is not the same thing as a Durable Medical Equipment Order (DMEO). In fact, a DMEO is a legal document that provides for the payment of medical expenses of a sick individual.
A Healthcare power of attorney form is a legal document that gives someone else the right to make decisions about your medical treatment if you become incapacitated. In some states, HPA’s are called “medical directives” or “living wills.”
A Durable Medical Equipment Order is a legal document that authorizes the purchase of durable medical equipment (DME) for self or a loved one who is unable to pay for own care. If you have a DMEO, you may need to provide documentation showing that you meet certain requirements before the order can be issued.
What is the Difference between a Healthcare Power of Attorney and a Durable Power of Attorney (DPA)?
An HPA does not have any bearing on whether you are eligible for Medicaid or Medicare; it only applies if you do not have a durable power of attorney (DPA). If you do have a DPA, then you should use that instead.
An HPA is different than a DPA in that it is designed to give someone else the authority to take medical decisions for you if you cannot take them yourself. A DPA is a legal document that allows someone else to take over financial responsibilities for you if you become unable to manage those responsibilities yourself. Both documents are useful tools, but they serve different purposes.
How to Get a Healthcare Power of Attorney (HPA)?
The first step in getting an HPA is to talk to your doctor and ask what type of medical decision-making powers you would want to give to someone else.
Your doctor may suggest that you get an HPA, but he or she might also recommend that you get a DPA instead if you have issues related to arranging finances for medical bills. It is important to note that a DPA is easier to obtain and is less complicated than an HPA.
If you decide to go ahead with an HPA, you need to fill out paperwork at your local county clerk’s office. A sample power of attorney form can be availed from websites that have readymade legal forms online.
You will need to furnish proof that you have been diagnosed with a serious illness or injury, and you have to sign a statement saying that you understand that you are giving someone else the authority to act on your behalf. Once you have done these things, you can file the papers with the court in the area where you live.
You can find information about how to prepare an HPA online, but you should always consult with a lawyer before making any major changes to your estate plan.