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Why Young Adults Need a Health Care Proxy
- Jeff Berenholz
- Apr 26
- 2 min read
Life can change in an instant. Whether you're 18 or 80, a health care proxy ensures someone you trust can speak for you during medical emergencies. At Jeffrey S. Berenholz, LLC, we see firsthand the critical importance of this document for young adults.
What Is a Health Care Proxy?
A health care proxy allows you to appoint a trusted individual—your health care agent—to make medical decisions if you become unable to communicate. Your agent ensures doctors follow your preferences regarding treatments, life support, and medical care.
Why Young Adults Must Have a Health Care Proxy
Many mistakenly believe health care proxies are only necessary for the elderly or seriously ill. However, unexpected accidents and medical emergencies can happen to anyone.
Consider Emma's story. Emma, a healthy 21-year-old college student, was in a car accident that left her unconscious in the hospital. Since she was over 18, her parents had no legal authority to make decisions for her due to HIPAA privacy laws. Doctors could not discuss Emma’s medical condition or treatments with her family, causing delays in critical care as they navigated the court system to obtain guardianship.
Had Emma simply signed a health care proxy, her parents could have immediately stepped in to advocate for her, without the added stress and legal hurdles.
Risks of Not Having a Health Care Proxy
Without a health care proxy, families often face:
Delayed Medical Decisions: Vital treatments can be delayed while courts decide who can legally act.
Lack of Advocacy: Doctors cannot discuss conditions or treatments without legal authorization, potentially compromising patient care.
Unnecessary Legal Costs: Guardianship proceedings are costly and time-consuming.
How a Health Care Proxy Provides Peace of Mind
Creating a health care proxy is straightforward and offers critical peace of mind:
Immediate Advocacy: Your chosen agent can step in immediately during emergencies.
Clear Communication: Ensures doctors and hospitals know who has decision-making authority.
Personalized Care: Guarantees your medical preferences and values are honored, even if you can't speak for yourself.
Who Needs a Health Care Proxy?
Every adult over the age of 18 should have a health care proxy in place. This includes:
College Students: Often living away from home, young adults need someone ready to advocate for them.
Single Adults: Ensure a trusted friend or family member can make critical decisions.
Newlyweds and Young Families: Protect your loved ones by clearly defining who makes medical choices.
Take Action Now – Protect Your Future
Don't wait until it's too late. At Jeffrey S. Berenholz, LLC, we include a health care proxy in every estate plan we create. Our Peace of Mind Planning Session is the perfect starting point.
Schedule your session today—we'll answer your questions, clearly explain your options, and outline our unique flat-fee structure. Mention this article, and we'll waive the standard $450 session fee.
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