If you become unable make decisions or to communicate, someone else will have to make health care decisions on your behalf. By choosing a health care agent, you grant the person you want to make these decisions the legal right to do so. This helps avoid conflict, uncertainty and stress for your loved ones during a difficult time. Also, your health care agent can act as your advocate, helping others to understand your wishes.

The time to choose a health care agent is before you actually need one. The legal form that states your choice of a health care agent is usually called a durable or medical power of attorney for health care, but it may be called by other names in some states. (Source: www.healthwise.net/humana)