Can you help your family in a medical emergency?

Getting ready for the new school year?

While you’re organizing all the “stuff” that’s needed for school, pause a moment to consider this: Unless you have 2 legal documents signed by your child or grandchild, medical providers have to treat you like a stranger — and that’s the law.  

Little known fact…  

At age 18, everyone becomes responsible for their own medical decisions as an adult, unless they give consent for others to be informed or involved in their care. Verbal consent works.  But what if your adult child or grandchild is unconscious or compromised in some other way – and faced with a decision about surgery and medical treatments? 

Even in an emergency, doctors and nurses can’t share health care information with you.  A worst-case scenario for everyone.

This holds true well into adulthood. Even after your kids or grandkids are "officially launched" in jobs and careers, your family may want peace of mind that you can be there for each other during medical care, no matter what. 

What you can do

●      Download free Medical Power of Attorney and HIPAA Release forms from any reputable source for the state where your adult child or grandchild goes to school or lives. These sources are free, generally at state .gov sites.

●      Make copies of these forms for everyone, including the health center at school. Store them on your phones, too, so they're always at your fingertips. 

Then... let’s hope and pray you never need them!