Designation of Health Care Surrogate

Most people have a preference for who they would like to make health care decisions for them if they are unable to do so themselves. A health care surrogate designation is a document that lets you express this preference and name backups if the initial designated person is unable or unwilling to assist you. This document also lets your surrogate access your medical records to help make informed decisions about your care. In Florida, you can nominate any competent adult to serve as your health care surrogate. 

To the extent you are able to understand, your surrogate has to keep you informed of the decisions made on your behalf, and your surrogate has to make any decision about your care according to your known wishes about what treatment you want. Also, if you are able to advocate for your own care, your surrogate cannot override your decisions about health care in the event you disagree—your doctor still needs to listen to you first. 

In Florida, you can elect to have a health care surrogate designation take effect as soon as you execute it or only after your doctor (or a court) has determined you are unable to make informed decisions on your own.