When does a health care proxy become effective?

When does a health care proxy become effective?

• A. Upon execution
• B. When the principal becomes incapacitated
• C. Upon the principal's death
• D. When the physician approves

Answer: (B)

A health care proxy is designed to step in only when you can no longer make or communicate health care decisions. The authority isn’t activated when you sign the document, and it doesn’t wait until you die. It becomes effective when you lack decision-making capacity—typically when a physician determines you are unable to understand information relevant to your care and to appreciate the consequences of decisions, or cannot communicate your choice. Once incapacity is established, the designated agent may decide about treatment in line with your known wishes or best interests. The physician’s role is to assess incapacity, not to “approve” the proxy or trigger it in any other way. You can revoke the proxy at any time while you’re competent, and the proxy ends at your death.

A health care proxy is designed to step in only when you can no longer make or communicate health care decisions. The authority isn’t activated when you sign the document, and it doesn’t wait until you die. It becomes effective when you lack decision-making capacity—typically when a physician determines you are unable to understand information relevant to your care and to appreciate the consequences of decisions, or cannot communicate your choice. Once incapacity is established, the designated agent may decide about treatment in line with your known wishes or best interests. The physician’s role is to assess incapacity, not to “approve” the proxy or trigger it in any other way. You can revoke the proxy at any time while you’re competent, and the proxy ends at your death.