Advance Directive

An advance directive is a legal document that spells out your health care wishes in case you become unable to make decisions for yourself, like if you're unconscious, severely ill, or have advanced dementia. It tells your doctors and family what kind of treatment you do or don't want, so they don't have to guess during a medical crisis.

There are two main types. A living will states your preferences about specific treatments, like whether you want to be placed on a ventilator, receive CPR, or have a feeding tube. A health care power of attorney (also called a health care proxy) names a person you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf when you can't.

Advance directives are not about insurance coverage; your health plan doesn't dictate what goes into them. But they connect to health care in important ways. Federal law (the Patient Self-Determination Act) requires hospitals, nursing homes, and most health care facilities to ask you about advance directives when you're admitted and to include them in your medical record.

Having an advance directive doesn't limit your care or affect what your insurance covers. It simply ensures your preferences are documented and respected. Without one, decisions fall to family members or state law, which may not reflect what you'd want.

You don't need a lawyer to create an advance directive, though it's smart to make sure it meets your state's legal requirements. Free templates are available from most state health departments. Once completed, share copies with your doctor, your designated health care proxy, and your family.