Designation of Health Care Surrogate

A Designation of Health Care Surrogate is a Power of Attorney for health care decisions. The Designation of Health Care Surrogate is a document created by Florida Statute in 1990. It establishes an individual’s right to choose for himself and to name agents for making health care decisions in case of the principal’s inability to do so. Under Florida Statutes, the powers that can be delegated to the surrogate include general authority to act for the principal and to make decisions in the health care area; to provide informed consent for health care; to be provided access to the principal’s medical records; to apply for benefits on the principal’s behalf; and to authorize the admission or transfer of the principal to or from a health care facility.