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Advance Directive

ADVANCE DIRECTIVES

YOUR RIGHT TO MAKE HEALTH CARE DECISIONS

UNDER THE LAW IN ARKANSAS

 

INTRODUCTION

Arkansas and federal law give every competent adult, 18 years or older, the right to make their own health care decisions, including the right to decide what medical care or treatment to accept, reject or discontinue. If you do not want to receive certain types of treatment or you wish to name someone to make health care decisions for you, you have the right to make these desires known to your health care provider, clinic, or hospital, and in general, have these rights respected. You also have the right to be told about the nature of your illness in terms that you can understand, the general nature of proposed treatments, the risks of failing to undergo these treatments, and any alternative treatments or procedures that may be available to you.

     However, there may be times when you cannot make your wishes known to your health care providers. For example, if you were taken to a hospital in a coma, would you want the hospital's staff to know what your specific wishes are about health care that you want or do not want to receive?

     This article describes what Arkansas and federal law have to say about your rights to inform your health care providers about medical care and treatment you want, or do not want, and about your right to select another person to make these decisions for you, if you are physically or mentally unable to make them yourself.

     To make these difficult issues easier to understand, we have presented the information in the form of questions and answers. Because this is an important matter, we urge you to talk to your spouse, family, close friends, personal advisor, your health care provider and your attorney before deciding whether or not you want an advance directive.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT ADVANCE DIRECTIVES

What are "Advance Directives"?

     Advance directives are documents which state your choices about your medical treatment or name someone to make decisions about your medical treatment, if you are unable to make these decisions or choices yourself. They are called "advance" directives because they are signed in advance to let your health care providers know your wishes concerning medical treatment. Through advance directives, you can make legally valid decisions about your future medical care.

Arkansas law recognizes 2 types of advance directives:

  • Advance Care Plan (Living Will)
  • Appointment of Health Care Agent

 

Do I have to have an Advance Directive?

     No. It is entirely up to you whether you want to prepare any documents. But if questions arise about the kind of medical treatment that you want or do not want, advance directives may help to solve these important issues. Your health care providers cannot require you to have an advance directive in order to receive care; nor can they prohibit you from having an advance directive. Moreover, under Arkansas law, no health care provider or insurer can charge a different fee or rate depending on whether or not you have executed an advance directive.

What will happen if I do not make an Advance Directive?

     You will receive medical care even if you do not have any advance directives. However, there is a greater chance that you will receive treatment or more procedures than you may want.

     If you cannot speak for yourself and you do not have any advance directives, your health care providers will look to the following people in the order listed for decisions about your care: 1) Your spouse; 2) An adult child, or if there is more than one, a majority of those participating in the decisions; 3) Your parents; 4) Your adult brother or sister, or if there is more than one, a majority of those participating in the decisions; or 5) Any other adult relative.

How do I know what treatment I want?

     Your health care provider must inform you about your medical condition and what different treatments they can do for you. Many treatments have serious side effects. Your health care provider must give you information, in a language that you can understand, about serious problems that medical treatment is likely to cause. Often, more than one treatment might help you and different people might have different ideas on which is best. Your health care provider can tell you treatments that are available to you, but he or she cannot choose for you. That choice depends on what is important to you.

Whom should I talk to about Advance Directives?

     Before writing down your instructions, you should talk to those people closest to you and who are concerned about your care and feelings. Discuss them with your family, your health care provider, friends and other appropriate people, such as a member of your clergy or your lawyer. These are people who will be involved with your health care, if you are unable to make your own decisions.

When do Advance Directives go into effect?

     It is important to remember that these directives only take effect when you can no longer make your own health care decisions. As long as you are able to give "informed consent," your health care providers will rely on YOU and NOT on your advance directives.

What is "Informed Consent"?

     Informed consent means that you are able to understand the nature, extent and probable consequences of proposed medical treatments and you are able to make rational evaluations of the risks and benefits of those treatments as compared with the risks and benefits of alternate procedures AND you are able to communicate that understanding in any way.

 

How will health care providers know if I have any Advance Directives?

     All hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, HMO's and all other health care facilities that accept federal funds must ask if you have an advance directive, and if so, they must see that it is made part of your medical records.

Will my Advance Directives be followed?

     Generally, yes, if they comply with Arkansas law. Federal law requires your health care providers to give you written policies concerning advance directives. A summary statement of those policies is provided to you at the back of this book. It may happen that your health care providers cannot or will not follow your advance directives for moral, religious or professional reasons, even though they comply with Arkansas law. If this happens, they must tell you. Then they must also help you transfer to another health care provider or facility that will do what you want.

Can I change my mind after writing an Advance Directive?

     Yes. At any time, you can cancel or change any advance directive that you have written. To cancel your directive, simply destroy the original document and tell your family, friends, health care provider and anyone else who has copies that you have cancelled them. To change your advance directives, simply write and date a new one. Again, give copies of your document to all the appropriate parties, including your health care provider.

Do I need a lawyer to help me make an Advance Directive?

     A lawyer may be helpful and you might choose to discuss these matters with him or her, but there is no legal requirement in Arkansas to do so. You may use the forms that are provided in this booklet to execute your advance directives.

Will my Arkansas Directive be valid in another state?

     The laws on advance directives differ from state to state, so it is unclear whether an Arkansas advance directive will be valid in another state. Because an advance directive is a clear expression of your wishes about medical care, it will influence that care no matter where you are admitted. However, if you plan to spend a great amount of time in another state, you might want to consider signing an advance directive that meets all the legal requirements of that state.

Will an Advance Directive from another state be valid in Arkansas?

     Yes. An advance directive executed in compliance with another state's laws will be valid in Arkansas to the extent permitted by Arkansas law.

What should I do with my Advance Directives?

     You should keep them in a safe place where your family members can get to them. Do NOT keep the original copies in a safe deposit box. Give copies of these documents to as many of the following as you are comfortable with: your spouse and other family members; your health care provider; your lawyer; your clergyperson; and any local hospital or nursing home where you may be residing. Another idea is to keep a small wallet card in your purse or wallet which states that you have an advance directive and who should be contacted.

 

ADVANCE CARE PLAN (LIVING WILL)

What is a "Living Will"?

     A living will (officially called an "Advance Care Plan" in Arkansas) is a document which tells your health care providers whether or not you want life sustaining treatments or procedures administered to you if you are in a terminal condition, permanently unconscious state, or an end-stage condition. It is called "living will" because it takes effect while you are still living.

Is a "Living Will" the same as a "Will" or "Living Trust"?

     No. Wills and living trusts are financial documents which allow you to plan for the distribution of your financial assets and property after your death. A living will only deals with medical issues while you are still living. Wills and living trusts are complex legal documents and you usually need legal advice to execute them. You do not need a lawyer to complete your Arkansas living will.

When does an Arkansas Living Will go into effect?

     An Arkansas living will goes into effect when: 1) Your health care provider has a copy of it, and 2) Your health care provider has concluded that you are no longer able to make your own health care decisions, and 3) Your health care provider has determined that you are in a terminal condition or a permanently unconscious state.

What are "life-sustaining" treatments?

     These are treatments or procedures that are not expected to cure your terminal condition or make you better. They only prolong dying. Examples are mechanical respirators which help you breathe, kidney dialysis which clears your body of wastes and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) which restores your heartbeat.

What is a "terminal" condition?

     A terminal condition is defined as an incurable condition for which administration of medical treatment will only prolong the dying process and without administration of the treatments or procedures, death will occur in a relatively short period of time.

What is a "permanent unconscious state"?

     A permanent unconscious state means that a patient is in a permanent coma, caused by illness, injury or disease. The patient is totally unaware of himself or herself, his or her surroundings and environment, and to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, there can be no recovery.

What is an "end-stage" condition?

     An "end-stage" condition is defined as an irreversible condition caused by injury, illness or disease which results in severe and permanent deterioration, incapacity and physical dependence, and to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, medical treatment would not be effective.

Is a living will the same as a "Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)" order?

     No. An Arkansas living will covers almost all types of life-sustaining treatments and procedures. A "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) order covers two types of life-threatening situations. A DNR order is a document prepared by your health care provider at your direction and placed in your medical records. It states that if you suffer cardiac arrest (your heart stops beating) or respiratory arrest (you stop breathing), your health care providers are not to try to revive you by any means.

Will I receive medication for pain?

     Unless you state otherwise in the living will, medication for pain will be provided where appropriate to make you comfortable and will not be discontinued.

Can my health care provider be sued or prosecuted for carrying out the provisions of an Arkansas Living Will?

     No. Arkansas law states that a health care provider whose actions are in accord with reasonable medical standards, is not subject to criminal or civil liability or discipline for unprofessional conduct for carrying out the provisions of a valid Arkansas living will.

Does an Arkansas Living Will affect insurance?

     No. The making of a living will, in accordance with Arkansas law, will not affect the sale or issuance of any life insurance policy, nor shall it invalidate or change the terms of any insurance policy. In addition, the removal of life-support systems shall not constitute suicide, homicide or euthanasia, nor shall it be deemed the cause of death for the purpose of insurance coverage.

Can I provide for organ donation in my Arkansas Living Will?

     Yes. Arkansas law now provides that you can include a statement concerning your wishes to donate your tissues and organs after death in a living will document. The living will document included in this book contains an organ donation section. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DONATE YOUR ORGANS AFTER DEATH TO FILL OUT AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE CARE PLAN DOCUMENT.

Will being an organ donor affect my care at the hospital?

     No. If you are injured or ill and are taken to a hospital emergency room, you will receive the best possible care, whether or not you are an organ donor. Donation procedures begin only after all efforts to save your life have been exhausted and death has been declared.

What about the extra expense involved in organ donation?

     There are no expenses for the family donating organs and tissues. Arkansas and federal funds pay all the costs related to organ and tissue donation.

Does my religion permit organ donation?

     Almost every major faith either supports organ and tissue donation or finds it acceptable as a personal decision for their members. The Gypsy faith is the only one holding any restrictions regarding donation due to their belief in the afterlife.

Can I still have regular funeral services?

     Yes. A traditional open casket funeral service can still take place, even though many organs and tissues have been donated. The surgical procedures used are performed by highly skilled professionals and the appearance of the donor's body is unchanged.

 

Does an Arkansas Living Will have to be signed and witnessed?

     Yes, you must sign (or have someone sign the document in your presence and at your discretion, if you are unable to sign) and date the living will. Then it must be witnessed by 2 competent adults, 18 years or older or notarized.

     If you choose to have a document witnessed, neither witness may be the agent or alternate agent whom you may have appointed. In addition, at least one of the two witnesses cannot be related to you by blood, marriage or adoption, or entitled to any part of your estate upon your death.

APPOINTMENT OF HEALTH CARE AGENT

What is an Appointment of Health Care Agent (AHCA)?

     An AHCA is a legal document which allows you (the "patient") to appoint another person (the "attorney-in-fact" or "agent") to make medical decisions for you if you should become temporarily or permanently unable to make those decisions yourself. The person you choose as your attorney-in-fact does not have to be a lawyer.

Who can I select to be my Agent?

     You can appoint almost any adult to be your agent. You should select a person(s) knowledgeable about your wishes, values, religious beliefs, in whom you have trust and confidence, and who knows how you feel about health care. You should discuss the matter with person(s) you have chosen and make sure they understand and agree to accept the responsibility.

     Members of your family, such as your spouse, child, brother or sister, or even a close friend are usually good choices to be your agent. If you appoint your spouse, and then become divorced or legally separated, your appointment of your spouse as your agent is revoked.

     The only people who CANNOT be appointed as your agent are: 1) Your treating health care provider; 2)An employee of your treating health care provider, unless he or she is related to you by blood, marriage or adoption; 3) An owner or operator of a health care institution in which you are receiving care; or 4) An employee of a health care institution in which you are receiving care, unless they are related to you by blood, marriage or adoption.

When does the AHCA take effect?

     The AHCA only becomes effective when you are temporarily or permanently unable to make your own health care decisions and your agent consents to start making those decisions. Your agent will begin making decisions after your health care providers have decided that you are no longer able to make them. Remember, as long as you are able to make treatment decisions, you have the right to do so.

What decisions can my agent make?

     Unless you limit his or her authority in the AHCA, your agent will be able to make almost every decision in accordance with accepted medical practice that you could make, if you were able to do so. If your wishes are not known are not known or cannot be determined, your agent has the duty to act in your best interest in the performance of his or her duties. These decisions can include authorizing, refusing or withdrawing treatment, even if it means that you will die. As you can see, the appointment of an agent is a very serious decision on your part.

What happens if I regain the capacity to make my own choices?

     If your health care provider determines that you have regained the capacity to make or to communicate health care decisions, then two things will happen:

  • Your agent's authority will end; and
  • Your consent will be required for treatment

     If your health care provider later determines that you no longer have the capacity to make or to communicate health care decisions, then your agent's authority will be restored.

Can there be more than one agent?

     Yes. While you are not required to do so, you may designate alternates who may also act for you, if your primary agent is unavailable, unable or unwilling to act. Your alternates have the same decision-making powers as the primary agent.

Can I appoint more than one person to share the responsibility of being my agent?

     You should appoint only ONE person to be your primary agent. Any others that want to be involved with your health care decisions should be appointed as your alternates. If two or more people are given equal authority and they disagree on a health care decision, one of the most important purposes of the AHCA-to clearly identify who has authority to speak for you-will be defeated. If you are afraid of offending people close to you by choosing one over another to be your agent, ask them to decide among themselves who will be your primary agent and select the others as alternates.

Can my agent be legally liable for decisions made on my behalf?

     No. Your health care agent or your alternate agents cannot be held liable for treatment decisions made in good faith on your behalf. Also, he or she cannot be held liable for costs incurred for your care, just because he or she is your agent.

Can my agent be paid for his or her services?

     No. Your agent and your alternates cannot accept payment for the performance of their authority, rights and responsibilities. But your agent can be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

Can my agent resign?

     Yes. Your agent and your alternates can resign at any time by giving written notice to you, your health care provider or the hospital or the other health care facility where you are receiving care.

Does the AHCA have to be signed and witnessed?

     Yes, you must sign (or have someone sign the AHCA in your presence and at your direction, if you are unable to sign) and date it. Then it must be witnessed by 2 competent adults, 18 years or older, or notarized.

     If you choose to have the document witnessed, neither witness may be the agent or alternate agent whom you may have appointed. In addition, at least one of the two witnesses cannot be related to you by blood, marriage or adoption, or entitled to any part of your estate upon your death.

How is AHCA different from the Living Will?

     An Arkansas living will only applies when you are terminally ill, in a permanent unconscious state, or in an end-stage condition and unless you write in other specific instructions, it only tells your health care provider what you do NOT want.

     The AHCA allows you to appoint someone to make health care decisions for you if you cannot make them. It covers all health care situations in which you are incapable of making the decisions for yourself. It also allows you to give specific instructions to your agent about the type of care you want to receive.

     The AHCA allows your agent to respond to medical situations that you might not have anticipated and to make decisions for you with knowledge of your values and wishes.

     Since the AHCA is more flexible, it is the advance directive most people choose. Some people, however, do not have someone whom they trust or who knows their values and preferences. These people should consider creating a living will.

 

A SUMMARY STATEMENT OF HEALTH CARE POLICIES REGARDING PATIENTS' RIGHTS OF SELF-DETERMINATION

(Since a summary like this cannot answer all possible questions or cover every circumstance, you should discuss any remaining questions with a representative of this health care facility.)

  1. Prior to the start of any procedure or treatment, the health care provider shall provide the patient with whatever information is necessary for the patient to make an informed judgment about whether the patient does or does not want the procedure or treatment performed. Except in an emergency, the information provided to the patient to obtain the patient's consent shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the intended procedure or treatment, the potential risks, and the probably length of disability. Whenever significant alternatives of care or treatment exist, or when the patient requests information concerning alternatives, the patient shall be given such information. The patient shall have the right to know the person responsible for all procedures and treatments.
  2. The patient may refuse medical treatment to the extent permitted by law. If the patient refuses treatment, the patient will be informed of the significant medical consequences that may result in such action.
  3. The patient will receive written information concerning his or her individual rights under Arkansas law to make decisions concerning medical care.
  4. The patient will be given information and the opportunity to make advance directives-including, but not limited to, an Arkansas Advance Care Plan and an Appointment of Health Care Agent.
  5. The patient shall receive care regardless of whether or not the patient has or has not made an advance directive.
  6. The patient shall have his or her advance directive(s), if any has been created, made a part of his or her permanent medical record.
  7. The patient shall have all terms of his or her advance directive(s) complied with by the health care facility and caregivers to the extent required or allowed by Arkansas law.
  8. The patient shall be transferred to another health care provider or health care facility if his or her health care provider(s) or agent of his or her health care provider(s), or the health care facility cannot respect the patient's advance directive requests as a matter of "conscience."
  9. The patient shall receive the name, phone number and address of the appropriate state agency responsible for receiving questions and complaints about these advance directive policies.

 

 

 

Advance Care Plan

Appointment of Health Care Agent

 

 

ARKANSAS APPOINTMENT OF HEALTH CARE AGENT

     I, ______________________________________________, give my agent named below permission to make health care decisions for me if I cannot make decisions for myself, including any health care decisions that I could have made for myself if able. If my agent is unavailable or is unwilling to serve, the alternate names below will take the agent's place.

Agent

Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________________________

City: ______________________________________ State: ___________________ Zip Code: _____________

Home Phone: _______________________________ Mobile Phone: __________________________________

Alternate Agent

Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________________________

City: ______________________________________ State: ___________________ Zip Code: _____________

Home Phone: _______________________________ Mobile Phone: __________________________________

PATIENT SIGNATURE

Print Name: _____________________________________________ Date: _____________________________

                                                          (Patient)

Signature of Patient: _________________________________________________________________________

(Must be at least 18 or emancipated minor)

Address: __________________________________________________________________________________

City: _____________________________________ State: _____________________ Zip Code: ____________

Home Phone: ______________________________ Mobile Phone: ___________________________________

WITNESS SIGNATURES

WITNESS NUMBER 1

  • I am a competent adult who is not named as the agent or alternate agent. I witnessed the patient's signature on this form.

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

(Signature of Witness Number 1)

 

 

 

WITNESS NUMBER 2

 

  • I am a competent adult who is not named as the agent or alternate agent. I am not related to the patient by blood, marriage, or adoption and I would not be entitled to any portion of the patient's estate upon his or her death under any existing will or codicil or by operation of law. I witnessed the patient's signature on this form.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

(Signature of Witness Number 2)

-OR-

NOTARY PUBLIC

(This document may be notarized instead of witnessed)

State of Arkansas                                )

                                                            ) ss.

______________________ County   )

     I am a Notary public in and for the State and County named above. The person who signed this instrument is personally known to me (or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence) to be the person who signed as the "patient". The patient personally appeared before me and signed above or acknowledged the signature above as his or her own. I declare under penalty of perjury that the patient appears to be of sound mind and under no duress, fraud, or undue influence.

My commissions expires: ____________________________

_________________________________________________________

                                          (Signature of Notary)

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENT SELECTION

I accept the appointment as agent for ___________________________________________________________

(Patient)

and understand I have the authority to make all medical decisions.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

                                                                                                 (Signature of Agent)

____________________________________________

                                (Date/Time)

WHAT TO DO WITH THIS ADVANCE DIRECTIVE

  • Provide a copy to your health care provider(s)
  • Keep a copy in your personal files where it is accessible to others
  • Tell your closest relatives and friends what is in the document
  • Provide a copy to the person(s) you named as your health care agent

 

ARKANSAS ADVANCE CARE PLAN

(Instructions: Competent adults and emancipated minors may give advance instructions using this form of their own choosing. To be legally binding, the Advance Care Plan must be signed and either witnessed or notarized.)

     I, _____________________________________________________________________________________,

Hereby give these advance instructions on how I want to be treated by my health care providers when I can no longer make those decisions myself.

Agent: I want the following person to make health care decisions for me.

Name:____________________________________________________________________________________

Phone Number:______________________________ Relation:_______________________________________

Address:__________________________________________________________________________________

Alternate Agent: If the person named above is unable or unwilling to make health care decisions for me, I appoint as alternate:

Name:____________________________________________________________________________________

Phone Number:______________________________ Relation:_______________________________________

Address:__________________________________________________________________________________

 

QUALITY OF LIFE

     I want my health care providers to help me maintain an acceptable quality of life including adequate pain management. A quality of life that is unacceptable to me means when I have any of the following conditions (you can check as many of these items as you want):

  • Permanent Unconscious Condition. I become totally unaware of people or surroundings with little chance of ever waking up from the coma.
  • Permanent Confusion. I become unable to remember, understand or make decisions. I do not recognize loved ones or cannot have a clear conversation with them.
  • Dependant in all Activities of Daily Living. I am no longer able to talk clearly or move by myself. I depend on others for feeding, bathing, dressing and walking. Rehabilitation or any other restorative treatment will not help.
  • End-Stage Illness. I have an illness that has reached its final stages in spite of full treatment. Examples: Widespread cancer that does not respond anymore to treatment; chronic and/or damaged heart and lungs, where oxygen is needed most of the time and activities are limited due to the feeling of suffocation.

 

 

TREATMENT

     If my quality of life becomes unacceptable to me and my condition is irreversible (that is, it will not improve), I direct that medically appropriate treatment be provided as follows. Checking "yes" means I WANT the treatment. Checking "no" means I DO NOT want the treatment.

  Yes       No   CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). To make the heart beat again and restore breathing 

after it has stopped. Usually this involves electric shock, chest compressions, and breathing        assistance.

 

  Yes       No   Life Support/Other Artificial Support. Continuous use of breathing machine, IV fluids, 

medications, and other equipment that helps the lungs, heart, kidneys, and other organs to continue to work.

 

  Yes       No   Treatment of New Conditions. Use of surgery, blood transfusions, or antibiotics that will deal

                          With a new condition but will not help the main illness.

 

  Yes       No   Tube Feeding/IV Fluids. Use of tubes to deliver food and water to the patient's stomach or use

                          of IV fluids into a vein which would include artificially delivered nutrition and hydration.

 

Other instructions, such as burial arrangements, hospice care, etc.:_____________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Attach additional pages if necessary)

 

ORGAN DONATION (OPTIONAL)

Upon my death, I wish to make the following anatomical gift (please mark one):

  Any organ/tissue                                            My entire body

  Only the following organs/tissue:_____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

 

PATIENT SIGNATURE

     Your signature should either be witnessed by two competent adults or notarized. If witnessed, neither witness should be the person you appointed as your agent, and at least one of the witnesses should be someone who is not related to you or entitled to part of your estate.

Signature:____________________________________________________ Date:________________________

Address:__________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

WITNESS SIGNATURES

Witness Number 1

     1) I am a competent adult who is not named as the agent or alternate agent. I witnessed the patient's signature on this form.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Signature of Witness Number 1)

 

Witness Number 2

 

     2) I am a competent adult who is not named as the agent or the alternate agent. I am not related to the patient by blood, marriage, or adoption and I would not be entitled to any portion of the patient's estate upon his or her death under any existing will or codicil or by operation of law. I witnessed the patient's signature on this form.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

(Signature of Witness Number 2)

 

-OR-

NOTARY PUBLIC

(This document may be notarized instead of witnessed)

State of Arkansas                                )

                                                            ) ss.

___________________ County         )

     I am a Notary Public in and for the State and County named above. The person who signed this instrument is personally known to me (or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence) to be the person who signed as the "patient". The patient personally appeared before me and signed the above or acknowledged the signature above as his or her own. I declare under penalty of perjury that the patient appears to be of sound mind and under no duress, fraud, or undue influence.

My commission expires:______________________________

__________________________________________________

                                  (Signature of Notary)

WHAT TO DO WITH THIS ADVANCE DIRECTIVE

  • Provide a copy to your health care provider(s)
  • Keep a copy in your personal files where it is accessible to others
  • Tell your closest relatives and friends what is in the document
  • Provide a copy to the person(s) you named as you health care agent