Power of Attorney for rising college freshman?

[Anonymous]

Does there need to be a distinction between a power of attorney and a medical POA? I wouldn’t want my parents having permission to sign or do everything on my behalf. Or can it be conditional like “only if I’m medically incapacitated they can make medical decisions.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does there need to be a distinction between a power of attorney and a medical POA? I wouldn’t want my parents having permission to sign or do everything on my behalf. Or can it be conditional like “only if I’m medically incapacitated they can make medical decisions.”

this type of document is called a Contingent POA.
for their college aged child, one would want to have their child execute a Medical Power of Attorney
the only other possible helpful documents would be a HIPAA and/or FERPA form but the FERPA usually can be obtained from the school itself

[Anonymous]

Free publicly available documents are typically unmaintained, thanks but no thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are insane. Next of kin gets talked to if the patient is incapacitated. Unless your kid got married without telling you, that's you

No they don't. HIPPA laws and privacy. You won't be consulted for treatment for an adult without the POA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are insane. Next of kin gets talked to if the patient is incapacitated. Unless your kid got married without telling you, that's you

No they don't. HIPPA laws and privacy. You won't be consulted for treatment for an adult without the POA.

Not if a patient is incapacitated (OP's scenerio)

"In cases where the individual is incapacitated, a covered entity may share the individual’s information with the family member or other person if the covered entity determines, based on professional judgment, that the disclosure is in the best interest of the individual."

https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/2069/under-hipaa-when-can-a-family-member/index.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are insane. Next of kin gets talked to if the patient is incapacitated. Unless your kid got married without telling you, that's you

No they don't. HIPPA laws and privacy. You won't be consulted for treatment for an adult without the POA.

Not if a patient is incapacitated (OP's scenerio)

"In cases where the individual is incapacitated, a covered entity may share the individual’s information with the family member or other person if the covered entity determines, based on professional judgment, that the disclosure is in the best interest of the individual."

https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/2069/under-hipaa-when-can-a-family-member/index.html

Why would a family leave this decision to an unknown future doctor when they could have the legal authority all buttoned up and ready to go?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are insane. Next
of kin gets talked to if the patient is incapacitated. Unless your kid got married without telling you, that's you

This happened in my family. My parents were called and were able to direct care. They did sign a DNR without a POA, and it was honored once it was signed, but not until then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are insane. Next of kin gets talked to if the patient is incapacitated. Unless your kid got married without telling you, that's you

No they don't. HIPPA laws and privacy. You won't be consulted for treatment for an adult without the POA.

Not if a patient is incapacitated (OP's scenerio)

"In cases where the individual is incapacitated, a covered entity may share the individual’s information with the family member or other person if the covered entity determines, based on professional judgment, that the disclosure is in the best interest of the individual."

https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/2069/under-hipaa-when-can-a-family-member/index.html

Why would a family leave this decision to an unknown future doctor when they could have the legal authority all buttoned up and ready to go?

Because nearest relatives making decisions is standard when a patient is unable to make decisions for themselves. Do you have a POA for your spouse? Do your kids have POAs for you and your spouse in case you're both in a car accident?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the posts that are commenting how unlikely it is to need such forms are focused on the more acute emergencies.

Here is a different take. My 18 year old college freshman was diagnosed during his first semester with a condition that is chronic and that affected his daily life due to the symptoms, risks and medications involved. There was no sign of this happening prior. It was sudden and while not life threatening, needed immediate attention. He attens college over 1,500 miles away and as a STEM major was incredibly busy with classes and deadlines.

Having a Medical POA already in hand allowed us to assist him with follow-up about lab testing, setting up prescription services and advocating for help when he developed a serious side effect from the medications. Could he do all of that on his own while miles away, not sure of where the best medical professionals are and not feeling well all while working his ass off to not fail a class? Sure. But during a difficult time in our son's life we are thankful we had the foresight to set up the paperwork to step in and help him long distance when he needed (and asked for) it.

I have a similar situation. But it’s unusual and under these circumstances you can get a POA signed if you need it. Also I find that each specialist has their own special form and won’t accept a generic one.

[Anonymous]

DCUM parents have officially jumped the shark. Y’all are just plain nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCUM parents have officially jumped the shark. Y’all are just plain nuts.

Or maybe you are just unfamiliar with the benefit of having these legal protections? I became familiar when our parents declined and needed care. They had already set up most of the necessary documents as part of life/estate planning. (We were recommended to do the same for ourselves when we were married and had children). It's important for any adult to have documents in place that indicate who they trust to speak on their behalf if medical care is needed while they are incapacitated (and not just for DNR).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the posts that are commenting how unlikely it is to need such forms are focused on the more acute emergencies.

Here is a different take. My 18 year old college freshman was diagnosed during his first semester with a condition that is chronic and that affected his daily life due to the symptoms, risks and medications involved. There was no sign of this happening prior. It was sudden and while not life threatening, needed immediate attention. He attens college over 1,500 miles away and as a STEM major was incredibly busy with classes and deadlines.

Having a Medical POA already in hand allowed us to assist him with follow-up about lab testing, setting up prescription services and advocating for help when he developed a serious side effect from the medications. Could he do all of that on his own while miles away, not sure of where the best medical professionals are and not feeling well all while working his ass off to not fail a class? Sure. But during a difficult time in our son's life we are thankful we had the foresight to set up the paperwork to step in and help him long distance when he needed (and asked for) it.

I understand but it sounds like you just swooped in and took care of everything. Sounds like you didn’t give him a chance to try to do things on his own and reach out to you for help if he couldn’t manage.

[Anonymous]

I’d rather be safe than sorry. My husband and I have them so why wouldn’t we do the same for our adult child.

[Anonymous]

My friend hit a teen with his car. Her parents were out of town when she was at the hospital. Because her parents were not around to provide direction, the doctors had to decide. As a result, she lost a limb.

So, yeah, we will get the paperwork done.

DP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the posts that are commenting how unlikely it is to need such forms are focused on the more acute emergencies.

Here is a different take. My 18 year old college freshman was diagnosed during his first semester with a condition that is chronic and that affected his daily life due to the symptoms, risks and medications involved. There was no sign of this happening prior. It was sudden and while not life threatening, needed immediate attention. He attens college over 1,500 miles away and as a STEM major was incredibly busy with classes and deadlines.

Having a Medical POA already in hand allowed us to assist him with follow-up about lab testing, setting up prescription services and advocating for help when he developed a serious side effect from the medications. Could he do all of that on his own while miles away, not sure of where the best medical professionals are and not feeling well all while working his ass off to not fail a class? Sure. But during a difficult time in our son's life we are thankful we had the foresight to set up the paperwork to step in and help him long distance when he needed (and asked for) it.

I understand but it sounds like you just swooped in and took care of everything. Sounds like you didn’t give him a chance to try to do things on his own and reach out to you for help if he couldn’t manage.

NP. You sound genuinely crazy. Good Lord.