A Pennsylvania medical power of attorney lets you assign someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you can’t communicate your wishes. The person you choose, called your agent, can only make medical decisions while you’re too disabled or sick to act on your own. In Pennsylvania, this form is also called a durable health care power of attorney.
Laws
- Statute: Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 20, Chapter 54, Subchapter C
- Signing Requirements: Two witnesses (§ 5452 and § 5471).
- Witnesses cannot be health care providers who serve the principal. They also can’t be anyone who signs the medical POA at the principal’s direction.
- Revocation: The principal can write a revocation form or personally inform the attending physician or agent. Once an agent learns about the cancellation of their power, they should not attempt to make medical decisions for the principal (§ 5459).
Sample
