Advance directive form: This is the cornerstone of your healthcare planning. In Maryland, this document allows you to outline your medical treatment preferences and appoint a healthcare agent to make decisions on your behalf. The form typically includes sections for living wills and medical powers of attorney.
Living will: This component of the advance directive form specifies the types of medical treatments and life-sustaining measures you do or do not want if you are terminally ill or permanently unconscious. This can include decisions about resuscitation, mechanical ventilation and tube feeding.
Medical power of attorney: Also known as a healthcare proxy, this document allows you to designate a trusted person to make healthcare decisions for you if you are incapacitated. In Maryland, this is part of the advance directive form but can also be a standalone document.
Maryland MOLST (medical orders for life-sustaining treatment): The Maryland MOLST form outlines your specific preferences for life-sustaining treatments. It’s completed by a healthcare professional based on your wishes and is used to make sure that your treatment preferences are followed across different healthcare settings.
HIPAA authorization form: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) authorization form grants healthcare providers permission to share your medical information with designated individuals. This is necessary so that your healthcare agent and loved ones can have access to the information they need.
Organ donation form: If you wish to donate your organs upon death, you can indicate this preference in your advance directive or through a separate organ donation form.
Do not resuscitate (DNR) order: A DNR Order is a specific medical order that tells healthcare providers not to perform CPR if your heart stops or if you stop breathing. In Maryland, this can be part of your advance directive or included as a separate document.