Healthcare Power of Attorney in Waverly

Choose authority and information access separately

A healthcare power of attorney identifies a person to make healthcare decisions under the authority provided by the document. A HIPAA authorization addresses access to health information; by itself, it does not appoint someone to make healthcare decisions. State law may make a person with healthcare authority a HIPAA personal representative, so a separate authorization is not automatically required for every agent.

Consider whether the people you want involved need decision-making authority, access to information, or both. Avoid treating an information-sharing document as a substitute for naming an agent. Likewise, do not assume that every person given information access has authority to make decisions.

Compare your agent and alternate choices

The Tennessee Advance Directive for Health Care form addresses an agent, an alternate, and healthcare preferences. An alternate can provide another option if your first choice is unavailable, but naming one means deciding who should have that role—not simply listing another trusted person.

For each candidate, consider whether they understand your preferences, can communicate with the people involved in your care, and are willing to take on the responsibility. Ask whether they can follow your wishes even if their own preferences differ. If you are uncertain, compare the decision-making role with a separate role focused on receiving information.

Prepare a one-page decision guide

Before discussing documents, write a short guide for yourself and your prospective agent. It can help turn general intentions into a practical conversation without trying to predict every future medical situation.

Include:

- Your preferred primary agent and alternate, plus why each is your choice.

- Healthcare preferences you want reflected in your directive, and questions you still need to resolve.

- Who should receive health information and whether you also want that person to have decision-making authority.

- Any existing advance directive, living will, or HIPAA authorization that should be reviewed alongside a new document.

Coordinate existing instructions and ask focused questions

Gather copies of existing healthcare documents and make a simple checklist of who has each one. Compare the names, roles, and instructions across them. A healthcare agent, an information recipient, and a financial power-of-attorney agent are distinct roles; one document should not be assumed to cover every kind of authority.

When discussing a plan, ask: Who should act if my first choice cannot? Does my current information-sharing authorization do only that, or also name a decision-maker? Do my written preferences match what I want my agent to understand? What should be updated if my choices or circumstances change?

Tennessee’s directive form includes document-signing and copy-sharing instructions. Review the form’s instructions and discuss how a proposed plan fits your circumstances. Dale Law Group, PLLC offers healthcare powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives and living wills, and HIPAA authorizations. The firm’s office is in Murfreesboro; Waverly is within its Tennessee service area.