What are the filing requirements for advanced health care directive documents?
Full Question:
Answer:
There are no formal filing requirements for advanced health care directive documents, but there are some important considerations to follow.
Give the original of the durable power of attorney for health care to the person you have named to be your patient advocate, or decision maker. Your doctor should have a copy of the document, and you should keep a copy for yourself.
For a living will, keep the original for yourself and give copies to your close family members. Your doctor should also have a copy of this.
Ask your doctor to make these documents a part of your medical record. If you should enter a hospital or nursing home, try to make sure that the facility also has a copy of the document or documents.