Healthcare Surrogate Designation: Ensuring Your Medical Voice Is Heard
In a medical crisis, clarity can be one of the greatest gifts you give your family. If you were unable to make or communicate your own healthcare decisions, who would you want to speak on your behalf?
A Florida Healthcare Surrogate Designation allows you to name a trusted person to make healthcare decisions for you and, when authorized, receive health information on your behalf. Florida law also provides specific rules governing when a surrogate's authority takes effect and how the designation is created.
At Marissa Petillo Law, we provide thoughtful legal guidance to individuals and families in Winter Garden, Windermere, Clermont, and throughout Central Florida who want to make their healthcare wishes clearer and designate someone they trust to help when they cannot make those decisions themselves.
A Healthcare Surrogate Designation is an important part of a comprehensive estate plan and can work alongside other advance directives, including a Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney.
Managing Your Medical Care
A Healthcare Surrogate is a competent adult you designate to make healthcare decisions and, when authorized, receive health information on your behalf. When the surrogate's authority is in effect, Florida law generally allows the surrogate to make healthcare decisions in accordance with your instructions and to work with your healthcare providers regarding your care.
Depending on the authority granted in your designation, your surrogate may be able to:
Health Information Access
When authorized, your surrogate can receive health information and communicate with healthcare providers about your care.
Healthcare Decisions
Your surrogate may provide, refuse, or withdraw consent for healthcare when the authority is in effect, subject to your instructions and Florida law.
Care & Facility Transitions
Your surrogate may help make decisions about admission, discharge, or transfer between healthcare facilities when authorized.
Benefits & Healthcare Administration
Your surrogate may apply for certain public benefits and access information needed to help coordinate your healthcare and related benefits.
Why a Thoughtfully Prepared Designation Matters
Florida law provides rules for who may make healthcare decisions for you in certain circumstances when you have not designated a healthcare surrogate. Creating your own Healthcare Surrogate Designation allows you to identify the person you trust to help make healthcare decisions on your behalf and provides an opportunity to communicate your wishes in advance.
You can also learn more about the importance of planning ahead in our article on Healthcare Surrogates and Accidents.
By working with Marissa Petillo Law, you gain:
Health Information Access
Your designation can authorize your surrogate to receive health information and communicate with healthcare providers about your care.
Customized Authority
Your designation can reflect the authority you want your surrogate to have, consistent with Florida law and your wishes.
Planning Ahead
Choosing a trusted healthcare decision-maker in advance can provide greater clarity for your family if you cannot make or communicate your own decisions.
Building a Complete Healthcare Plan
Whether you are a parent in Horizon West thinking ahead for your family or a retiree in The Villages organizing your future wishes, a Healthcare Surrogate Designation can work alongside other important planning documents.
Together, these documents can help provide clearer direction about your healthcare wishes and who may act on your behalf when you are unable to make or communicate your own decisions:
| Related Planning Document | Primary Purpose |
|---|---|
| Living Will | Documents your wishes concerning life-prolonging procedures in the circumstances addressed by Florida law. |
| Durable Power of Attorney | Authorizes a trusted agent to handle financial and legal matters on your behalf during your lifetime, as provided in the document. |
| Last Will & Testament | Provides instructions for the distribution of assets that pass through your probate estate after your death. |
Ready to Plan With Peace of Mind?
Your healthcare wishes deserve thoughtful consideration, and choosing someone you trust to help make decisions can provide greater clarity when you need it most. Schedule a Peace of Mind Planning Session today to discuss a Healthcare Surrogate Designation and how it can fit into your comprehensive estate plan.
Marissa Petillo Law
Serving individuals and families in Winter Garden, Windermere, Horizon West, Ocoee, Clermont, The Villages, Lady Lake, Leesburg, Wildwood, and surrounding Central Florida communities.
Call or Text: (407) 219-9107