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I have been thinking, mostly due to some recent posts, that there are challenges around who can be involved in healthcare decisions. It will depend quite a bit on jurisdiction and if any formal documents are in place.


I am my friend’s emergency contact for all healthcare related issues. She has recorded this at our local hospital and her doctors’ offices. Her daughter who lives in town is her closest next of kin, but is not capable of acting in an emergency. My friend does not have a POA. In case of an emergency I am the person who makes medical decisions on her behalf.


I am both my Mum’s next of Kin, and springing Healthcare Representative. Additionally I am her emergency contact registered at our local hospital and our doctors office. Mum recently had surgery, it was successful and there have been no complications. If there had been I could have made decisions on Mum’s behalf as Next of Kin and Emergency contact without producing the Heathcare Representative documents.


My son is my emergency contact and Next of Kin registered at my local hospital and doctors office. My brother and sister in law are my Healthcare Representatives. If I have a medical emergency, my son can act for me, he can also call my HRs and ask them to step up. Springing the HR document.


What is your situation?

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Here in MN each of your doctors requires you to fill out a Medical Representative form, even if you have a medical PoA. I have had to do this with my mom every single doctor's office and clinic. Once it's filled out and signed it stands until a new one is created. I recently asked for the form when my mom went for her Lasik surgery. The receptionist looked at me and said, "I see this isn't your first rodeo!"...I guess meaning that many people have no idea this form is required? But, it is by law here in order for my mom's docs to divulge her medical info to me without her being present and for me to give info/decisions to her docs that they will legally act upon.
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Tothill Sep 2020
This sounds like the forms used at my local hospital and doctors’ offices.
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Only someone with a medical or durable POA, or healthcare representative can act on your behalf in a medical emergency. Having someone listed as next of kin or emergency contact will do you no good if a medical emergency arises, at least not here in the U.S.
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Tothill Sep 2020
That is why I thought it important to have a discussion about this. I am in BC Canada and as emergency contact I am the one who would make medical decisions, ahead of Next of Kin if there is not an active Medical POA which is called a Healthcare Representative here.

There are people from all over the world on this site and different rules may apply in different jurisdictions.
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I have my husband listed as my emergency contact. He has me listed as his.
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