A health care agent (also called a proxy) is someone you appoint to make healthcare decisions for you when you are medically unable to make them for yourself. If you choose to name a health care agent, he or she can decide how your wishes apply as your medical condition changes. You may give the person you select as your health care agent as little or as much authority as you want by explaining your wishes in your advance directive.

Be sure that your health care agent knows what is important to you. A health care agent can agree to treatment, choose between different treatments and.or refuse or withdraw treatment.

Appointing a healthcare agent lets you control your medical treatment by:

• Allowing your agent to make healthcare decisions on your behalf as you would want them decided;
• Choosing one person to make healthcare decisions because you think that person would make the best decisions based on your beliefs and medical circumstances;
• Avoiding conflict or confusion among family members and/or significant others.