Protect and promote the health and safety of the people of Wisconsin. The Wisconsin director is encouraged to read the following passages (beginning with “General Statement of Authority Granted Through “Limitations on Mental Health Treatment”) where a discussion is presented on what powers the State of Wisconsin will allow and limit. It is very important to have clear conversations about the type of options and wishes for medical care with the agent you have selected. In the following example, the Wisconsin director gives the health care agent the power to admit him or her to nursing homes “For a purpose other than restorative care or respite care.” In the unfortunate event that a family member or loved one becomes incapacitated, someone else may need to make decisions related to medical care, treatment, and whether to continue life support.
Please note that the alternative health care agent will not have any power of decision with the assistant Wisconsin medical staff if the first choice of the Wisconsin director can and is allowed to represent the principal. It is especially helpful if you are suddenly faced with hospice or palliative care after an accident or serious illness. The Froedtert Regional Health Network %26 the Medical College of Wisconsin is a partnership between Froedtert Health and Medical College of Wisconsin that supports a shared mission of patient care, innovation, medical research and education. The agent may also have the power to decide on surgery, medication, or treatment, such as dialysis and chemotherapy.
For example, a power of attorney for health care may allow a designated person (also called a de facto attorney) to decide whether the patient should remain connected to a ventilator or not. If the Wisconsin director has determined that the health care agent must have the authority to decide whether to be admitted to “A community residential center without respite care” as the reason for this admission, check the “Yes” box in the second item of this section. An advance directive, such as a medical power of attorney, gives you control over your health care decisions and provides information to the healthcare team if you are unable to reach. This means that if the principal is unable to communicate or remain consistent, the health care agent will have the authority to admit you to a nursing home, regardless of whether the nursing home will be the facility to provide treatment or medical care.
The health care agent must review the “Health Care Agent and Alternative Health Care Agent Statement” that has been supplemented with the name of the Wisconsin director and then sign the agent's signature line as acceptance of the text in question. If the health care agent has the powers of attorney granted by this document even when the principal is pregnant, check the box labeled “Yes” in the “Health Care Decisions for Pregnant Women” section. If the Wisconsin director wants the health care agent to be denied authority if the health care agent learns that the Wisconsin director is pregnant, check the box labeled “No” in the “Health Care Decisions for Pregnant Women” section. It is best to have a Power of Attorney for Health Care (POAHC) document, as this document designates someone to make decisions for you in case you are unable to make decisions for yourself.
Leave Reply