Do you have health care proxies for all adults in your household?

31993041 - happy 3 generation family in grandparents' backyardHave you created health care proxies for all adults in your household?

A health care proxy — also known as a durable power of attorney for health care —is a document that lets you appoint another person to make health care decisions for you if you cannot make those decisions or speak for yourself.

You should have signed health care proxies for all adult family members living with you and make sure these documents are easily accessible in the event they are needed.

Don’t forget to have a health care proxy for any children in college as well. Under Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy rules, once a child becomes an adult, his or her parents cannot access their medical information without permission. Without a signed health care proxy, you will not be able to make medical decisions for your child in the event he or she is unable to make them.