1. What is a Child Medical Consent Form?
A Child Medical Consent form is a written document authorizing another adult to make healthcare decisions for a minor child. For example, a grandparent, aunt, uncle, nanny, babysitter, or family friend may take care of your kid during an emergency.
This form ensures that a person can get their child proper medical care. The document is often used with a Child Travel Consent Form if a parent or legal guardian is not traveling with their kid.
A simple Child Medical Consent form will identify the following basic elements:
- Parents: name and contact information of parent(s) or legal guardian(s)
- Child: name, address, and date of birth for each minor
- Caregiver: name of responsible adult authorized to make decisions for some time
- Medical History: child’s health condition, allergies, prescriptions, and vaccines
- Healthcare Provider: name/number of physician/pediatrician and dentist/orthodontist
- Health Insurance: name/number of insurance, policy/group number, policyholder
- Signature: Signed by the child’s parent or legal guardian
The American College of Emergency Physicians provides additional medical forms for children with special health care needs.
As a reference, people call this form by other names:
- Authorization to Consent to Medical Treatment
- Authorization for Minor’s Medical Treatment
- Caregiver Medical Consent Form
- Consent for Medical Treatment of a Minor
- Consent to Treat Minor Children
- Emergency Medical Consent Form
- Medical Authorization for Minor
- Medical Treatment Authorization Form
- Parental Medical Consent Form
When Do I Need a Child Medical Consent Form?
This consent form is commonly used when a parent or legal guardian has temporarily entrusted another person to take care of their kid.
A consent form is needed under these circumstances:
- The child is a minor — under the age of 18 years old
- The child is traveling with another person or group
- The child is with a babysitter or daycare center
- A chaperone or a trip leader is taking care of your kid
- The parent or guardian is temporarily away on work or business trips
The reality of life means parents may not be with their children if an emergency occurs. This form allows parents to designate a responsible adult to authorize medical treatment for their kids.
What Will Happen if I Don’t Use a Child Consent Waiver?
When you are not with your kid, a Child Medical Consent form can give you the peace of mind that your son or daughter will receive prompt medical care.
Without this form, the following preventable suffering could occur:
| Consequences Suffered by Parent/Adult | Consequences Suffered by Child |
|---|---|
|
|
The Most Common Situations When a Consent Form is Needed
It should be used if the child is:
- Home with a babysitter or family member
- Traveling with an authorized caretaker
- Staying at a child daycare facility
- Taken care of by a nanny or au pair while parents are at work
Choose an authorized caretaker who understands your moral beliefs and shares your concern for your child’s best interest.
What Should Be Included
Our sample Child Medical Consent form asks easy questions that help you complete the form.
1. Who is the authorized caretaker?
The parent or legal guardian designates another adult to be their kid’s authorized caretaker in medical emergencies. The temporary guardian understands the parents’ wishes about medical treatment for their child.
2. What is the child’s medical history?
The parent or legal guardian should detail the minor’s health background, for example:
- Health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or pacemaker
- Allergies to antibiotics, medicine, or food
- Prescription of medications currently being taken
- Date of last tetanus injection or booster
- History of vaccines
Listing your child’s health background helps healthcare professionals diagnose a condition and make effective medical decisions.
3. What medical treatments are allowed?
Parents can authorize the caregiver to make certain medical care decisions for some time:
- Administer medication and prescriptions
- Anesthesia and surgical procedure
- Blood transfusions
- Dental care and treatment
- Diagnostic imaging (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs)
- Emergency medical care and treatment (i.e., CPR, surgery, hospitalization)
- Emergency medical transportation (i.e., ambulance)
- Routine examinations and checkups
Specify when (start and end date) the caretaker has the power and authority to make medical decisions for the minor.
4. What other details should be included in a Child Medical Consent?
The form may also include the following details:
- Assurances that the parent or guardian is legally allowed to make such authorizations
- Best interests of the child and the child’s health and well-being is a priority
- Financial responsibility will remain with the parents and the minor’s health insurance
- Governing law of the state that will apply concerning medical services
- Religious or moral beliefs that should guide the caretaker and healthcare professionals