You have the right to choose someone to make health care decisions for you, called a health care agent, in case you cannot do so yourself (for example, because of a serious injury). One way to select your health care agent is to complete a legal form called a health care proxy. If you choose to complete a proxy, follow these steps to guide you:

1. Choose a health care agent and an alternate agent (someone who can make decisions for you if your original agent is unable to do so).
2. Read Your Health Care Proxy, a handout that answers common questions patients have.
3. Complete a proxy.
4. Share your treatment wishes, including end-of-life wishes, with your health care agents.
5. Give copies of the proxy to your agents and a member of your health care team.