What is a health care surrogate?

A health care surrogate is a legal term used in Iowa to refer to an appointed individual who is authorized to make healthcare decisions on behalf of another person. This person may be someone who is unable to make decisions for themselves due to illness or disability. The health care surrogate is granted the authority to make decisions related to the health care of the individual, including decisions for end-of-life care. In Iowa, individuals are able to appoint a health care surrogate by completing a health care power of attorney document. This document allows individuals to dictate the types of decisions their health care surrogate may make and the limitations of their authority. For instance, the document can specify that a health care surrogate is unable to make decisions about mental health care or the removal of life-sustaining procedures. Health care surrogates are an important part of completing a disability plan to ensure that the individual will receive the care and medical treatments they want in the event that they are no longer able to make decisions on their own. It is important for individuals to discuss their wishes and preferences with their chosen health care surrogate to ensure that the health care surrogate is aware of the individual’s wishes and can make decisions that reflect them.

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