Medical Information

[joe645]

If I, as a parent, are taken to a hospital in a incapacited state or in a coma will my son, as my only living heir, be able to obtain my medical records?

 

[quincy]

If I, as a parent, are taken to a hospital in a incapacited state or in a coma will my son, as my only living heir, be able to obtain my medical records?

Do you still live in Nevada, joe645?

 

[joe645]

Yes

 

[quincy]

Do you have an advance directive (e.g., will, medical POA)?

If you want your son as your only living heir to be able to access your medical records and make medical decisions for you, you should see an attorney about getting a medical power of attorney for your son.

Without an advance directive, your son potentially could be appointed by a court to act on your behalf ... but potentially so could your family physician or a court appointed guardian.

 

[zddoodah]

If I, as a parent, are taken to a hospital in a incapacited state or in a coma will my son, as my only living heir, be able to obtain my medical records?

No one here has any conceivable way, in the abstract and without any context whatsoever, of intelligently answering this question with anything other than "maybe."

If you think such a scenario is likely, and if you want him to have such access, then you ought to have a medical power of attorney prepared and provide a copy to all doctors you visit with any regularity and give the original to your son.

 

[quincy]

Sometimes an “intelligent answer” is providing information.

 

[Zigner]

Sometimes an “intelligent answer” is providing information.

Pshaw

 

[quincy]

Pshaw

Okay. I misspoke. “Pshaw” is also an intelligent answer.

 

[joe645]

Thank you quincy, I had forgotten about my advance directive which gives my son or surviving heir power of attorney. Thank you. You too, Zigner.

 

[FlyingRon]

Being an heir is usually not a consideration in things. Being your closest (or perhaps only) living relative would be.

 

[LdiJ]

Being an heir is usually not a consideration in things. Being your closest (or perhaps only) living relative would be.

Interestingly enough, when my brother went into the hospital with a really serious strain of the flu some years back (I had it too and was also hospitalized) his girlfriend took him in, and the doctors insisted on a family member, ANY family member getting there ASAP to make decisions. They weren't picky about actual next of kin.

 

[TrustUser]

i realize that doctors need to follow rules. but i think in most cases, a boyfriend/girlfriend probably knows more about the wishes of their significant other, than a sibling would

 

[Taxing Matters]

i realize that doctors need to follow rules. but i think in most cases, a boyfriend/girlfriend probably knows more about the wishes of their significant other, than a sibling would

Then if you want your love interest to make medical decisions for you prepare a healthcare power of attorney giving the person that authority.

 

[FlyingRon]

Just had surgery done. The hospital pre-admit asked if I could email my Advance Directive over to them.

 

[TrustUser]

Then if you want your love interest to make medical decisions for you prepare a healthcare power of attorney giving the person that authority.

my musing was more about how maybe the default rules should be changed, to more mirror reality