Plan to visit with your adult kids over the holidays?

This might be a good time to consider these "facts of life" together! 

Fact #1: The 18th birthday is a medical milestone! It's when everyone becomes an adult in the health care world – with 100% responsibility for their medical decisions. 

Fact #2: Without two legal documents signed by your adult child, medical providers must treat you like a stranger — that’s the law.  Parents can't get information about their adult children's medical condition, nor have a say in treatment.  

Verbal consent works.  But what if they're unconscious. confused, medicated or compromised in some way?

Not just for your teens! For your older kids, too! 
Even after they're launched on their own, your family may want peace of mind that you can be there for each other during medical care, no matter what!  

For peace of mind... 

• Download free Medical Power of Attorney and HIPAA Release forms from any government website for the state where your adult child goes to school or lives.  

• Make copies for everyone! (Include the student health center if they're in school.) Does your child have electronic medical records? Be sure the completed forms are uploaded! 

• Create ICE (In Case of Emergency) directories on your phones.

• Take pictures of the completed forms and store them on your phones. Be sure the signature pages are clear! 

This topic is pretty tough for everyone, especially during holiday times. If you need guidance on how to approach the subject or complete the documents, this is one way we help families during difficult moments in health care. 

We know from experience that, once you get all documents in order, you'll likely never need them. But... you will have peace of mind every single day. And that's a little something to celebrate!