Advance Directive

Planning Your Living Will

We think you are the most important person who will ever be involved in your care. You have the right to make decisions about your care. We want you to be active in all your healthcare choices.

It is an unpleasant thought, but what if you became too sick to tell the doctor what you want your care to be? An Advance directive (also known as a living will) is a way to make sure that your wishes are known. 

You can make decisions in advance of care or name someone, known as a Medical Power of Attorney, to make those choices if you cannot.

Creating Your Living Will

PA Health & Wellness recommends all of our plan members take the time to create a living will, designate a power of attorney and provide their advance directive to their primary care physician.

Once you have completed your advance directive, ask your doctor to put the form in your file. You can also talk to your doctor about the decision making process of creating your Living Will or Advance Directive. Together, you can make decisions that will set your mind at ease.

If you should ever need or want to, you can change your Advance Directive at any time. You should make sure others know you have an Advance Directive. You may also choose to designate a Medical Power of Attorney. That person should be made aware of your advance directive or living will as well.

With an Advance Directive, you can be sure that you are cared for as you wish, at a time when you cannot give the information.