Physician who deemed my mother incompetent wants me to sign a form about their expectations, for me as a health care proxy.
Has anyone else experienced this request? Is this normal. The wording contains phrases like "it is expected that you (invoked health care proxy) will remain available for ongoing consultation as well as participate in the decision making. In the event that you cannot or do not wish to be available, you agree to notify the staff so that an alternate agent/proxy can be called upon."
They already have a copy of the health care proxy form which lists the alternative.
I do not sign anything without speaking to an attorney. Based on other's experience do I need to even contact an attorney or best to ignore what appears to be an outrageious, unnecessary request?
I have to travel with work at times....I assume the alternative steps in with proper notification that I am out of unreachable.
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Feel free to question the form, and ask them if everyone serving as proxy for a loved one who is a patient of this Practice is required to sign such a form.
The truth is that if you're health care proxy this should be something you are willing to do in any case, so you should not, I would think, have a problem overall with this. You can't be forced, of course, to sign ANYTHING, but they can't be forced to treat your loved one as a regular patient, either.
As to this "alternative proxy" thing, that is not in your power to designate; simply put a note to ask principal (patient you are acting as proxy for) for an "alternative" as this is not in your power to designate.
I often do dog and cat sitting, and even in that capacity I request a note with permission to treat, vet name and etc. and also ask for contacts information, or persons I should call if there is an emergency or questions. Seems to me the practice here is trying to be thorough in their care of your loved one.
As to your question, no, I have not (as yet) ever seen this done.
I think they are just confirming that you understand what the responsibility entailed is.
This is probably simply a form they need to have to be able to locate someone who is familiar/related to the patient in case of the need to make a decision.
It's not really, outrageous. It's called 'covering all the bases'. Trying to find someone who will step up if needed is pretty basic in healthcare.