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durable power of attorney

What is durable power of attorney?

What is durable power of attorney?

Durable power of attorney, also known as a “health care proxy,” refers to your formal designation of a person to advocate on your behalf and make decisions about your personal affairs in the event you become unable to make decisions yourself.

A durable power of attorney and a living will are both parts of advance care planning, which is covered by Medicare as part of the annual wellness visit.1 Advance care planning ensures that your health care wishes will be known if and when you’re unable to advocate for yourself.

Your doctor can bill Medicare for assisting with advance care planning,2 and will be a good resource to help you understand what future medical conditions you might be likely to face.3 But you may want to consult with an attorney for comprehensive estate planning and advance directives.

Footnotes
  1. ”Advance care planning” Medicare.gov. Accessed June 26, 2025 ⤶
  2. ”Is advance care planning required at every Medicare patient visit?” American Medical Association. May 1, 2024 ⤶
  3. ”Advance Care Planning: Advance Directives for Health Care” National Institute on Aging. Accessed June 26, 2025 ⤶

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