What is a health care surrogate?

A health care surrogate is a person who is appointed to make health care decisions on behalf of someone who is physically or mentally unable to make decisions on their own. In North Carolina, this person is appointed through a durable power of attorney for health care. In this document, someone (usually the person who is disabled) names someone else to be their surrogate. The surrogate has the legal authority to make healthcare decisions for the disabled person, such as agreeing to or refusing medical treatments and accessing the disabled person’s healthcare records. These decisions should be based on what the individual would have chosen for themselves if they were able to do so. The health care surrogate is legally bound to act in accordance with the wishes and best interests of the disabled person. The North Carolina statute provides guidance for health care surrogates in regards to making medical decisions as well as financial matters. The role of a health care surrogate is critical for ensuring that the disabled person’s rights are protected and that they receive the care they need. It is important for individuals to think about who they would want to appoint as their health care surrogate if they were unable to make decisions for themselves.

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What is a health care surrogate?

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