How to Choose a Health Care Agent

While it's important to consider your values during the advance care planning process, it's just as important to spend time thinking about who you would choose to be your health care agent, who has durable medical power of attorney.

A health care agent is someone you choose to make medical decisions on your behalf if you're too sick to make them yourself.

Who Should I Choose as My Health Care Agent?

You may choose your spouse or your children. Or, you can choose a friend or neighbor.

Think about the people that mean the most to you. Who do you trust to tell the doctors about what is most important and what you would want to avoid if you become too sick to tell them yourself?

Who do you know that can:

• Follow your medical wishes — whether or not they agree with them?
• Make your wishes heard?
• Make sure you get the care you want, in the place you want, and with the people you want by your side?

If You Do Not Choose a Health Care Agent

If you do not choose a health care agent and you become unable to make your own decisions, Pennsylvania law will choose one for you. The best person to make your health care decisions may not be the person that the Pennsylvania law would appoint.

So, please take the time to name a health care agent in advance. Ask them if they would be willing to do this for you, and tell them your wishes.

The Pennsylvania Advance Health Care Directive Form (PDF) can help you to think about your health care agent and your medical wishes.

Advance Care Planning Resources 

• Frequently Asked Questions About Advance Directives
• PREPARE — The PREPARE website is designed to help people and their loved ones prepare for medical decision making.
• The Conversation Project — The Conversation Project is dedicated to helping people and their loved ones prepare for medical decision making.
• Advance Care Planning Brochure — Learn more about starting the conversation around advance care planning.
• Pennsylvania residents can learn more about advance care directives here.
  • Access the Pennsylvania Advance Health Care Directive Form (PDF).
• Maryland residents can learn more and access their advance directive form here.

From our Health Library

• Choosing a Health Care Agent

Contact Us

For more information, or to talk with someone about advance care planning, contact the UPMC Palliative and Supportive Institute at PSIcare@upmc.edu

Maryland residents can contact the UPMC Western Maryland Care Coordination/Social Work Department at 240-964-1090 or learn more on our website.

Additional Resources

• Local and National Palliative Care Resources and Groups
• 8 Step Advance Care Planning Guide
• Advance Care Planning brochure (PDF)

For more information about advance directives, download Pennsylvania Advance Health Care Directive (PDF).