When it comes to estate planning, medical decisions are often overlooked until they become urgent. One important step you can take now is including a HIPAA authorization in your plan.
Why it matters: A HIPAA authorization lets someone you trust access your medical info if you can’t speak for yourself. Without it, even close family members could be blocked from updates or urgent decisions.
What it does: It gives your chosen health care proxy legal permission to talk with doctors, review your records, and stay informed, helping them act quickly and in line with your wishes.
What to include: A valid form should name who has access, what can be shared, why it’s needed, and for how long. It must also be signed and dated to take effect.
Your privacy, protected: You stay in control by choosing who gets access and for what purpose. It’s a simple step that ensures the right people can step in when needed.
If you don’t yet have HIPAA authorization in your estate plan and would like help adding it, please feel free to respond to this email or give the office a call. Taking care of it now can bring peace of mind for both you and those who may need to advocate for you later.