Are You Ready for a Medical Emergency?

With all the concern over the latest Coronavirus, COVID-19, it is critical to get your healthcare-related legal documents in order. We can help you execute the following documents that can be critical in a time of medical emergency.

HIPAA RELEASE 

Hospitals may talk to a spouse or parent of a minor child about his or her medical condition, but if you have a child that is over the age of majority or an elderly parent in your family, the HIPAA regulations may prevent the hospital from discussing their medical conditions with you. If such a family member becomes ill on short notice, there may not be time to scramble for necessary documents. Therefore, having an executed HIPAA Release ready to go may be necessary in order to allow the medical staff or hospital to discuss the medical conditions of such family members with you and to allow you access to the medical information and records at the time of a medical emergency when time is of the essence.

HEALTHCARE DIRECTIVES

If a family member becomes unconscious and is unable to state their wishes or decisions for their medical care, Healthcare Directives are necessary to allow a family member to state the wishes of the incapacitated person or to help make those medical decisions if the patient has an executed document called a Healthcare Power of Attorney and Healthcare Directive. The critical decisions during a medical crisis, such as the use of ventilators, catheters, or feeding tubes, are all time-sensitive and having this legal document in place is invaluable as it allows family members to inform medical staff or hospitals of the patient’s wishes and make decisions if the person is unconscious.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

Of course, if a loved one passes away, a Last Will and Testament will state what their wishes are for their assets after their death. If a person passes away without a valid Last Will and Testament in place, the assets in their estate will pass according to the State’s laws of intestacy. Quite often such laws may not reflect the desires of the decedent. That is why it is important to have a Last Will and Testament in place.

Our office is aware of the current health concerns and people’s desire to minimize exposure to the virus or other illnesses by reducing their travel and social contacts; therefore, we are offering a video conference option for individuals. Just call our office and we will be happy to arrange such a video conference for your convenience.