Why College Students Need a Backup Healthcare and Financial Disability Plan
Since most college students are at least 18 years old—technically adults—they’re responsible for all decisions regarding their health and finances. Furthermore, due to the Privacy Rule of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), parents have no legal right to their adult children’s medical records, other healthcare-related information, or financial matters. Failure to have the appropriate documentation can be extremely detrimental to the college student. How can the college student be assisted in these decisions?
For example, an 18-year-old who is brought into the emergency room unconscious is likely unable to make immediate decisions regarding their healthcare or finances. This can be a frightening prospect if quick decisions must be made. Likewise, a parent who tries to obtain information on their child’s condition from a distance will likely be met with pushback due to HIPAA regulations. While no parent wants to consider such worst-case scenarios, having certain documents in place before the worst happens can alleviate many of these challenges.
How You Can Prepare
These legal documents make it much easier for parents (or whomever the college student chooses) to step in and assist their college-aged student in the event of a medical emergency:
Medical/healthcare power of attorney with HIPPA authorization and a Living Will — These documents allow an individual to designate another person to be their agent in the event they’re no longer able to make decisions regarding their own healthcare. The Living Will allows the college student to outline his or her desires if they were in a persistent vegetative state or had a terminal illness.
Durable power of attorney for finances — A document that can be used to give another person the authority to make financial transactions, or sign legal documents on an individual’s behalf if they become mentally incapacitated or otherwise unable to perform these activities on their own.
Our law firm can help. We can provide the above documents, a 5-year DocuBank* membership, and general instructions for your child. Contact us or request a consultation to learn more.
*The DocuBank Emergency Card helps to ensure that your medical wishes are known and respected when it counts. Your Medical Team will have access to your Living Will and Health Care Power of Attorney around the clock, around the world.