OnlineMedicalRegistries.com answers your questions
What is a medical or healthcare proxy?
Why should someone have a medical or healthcare proxy?
What does the person appointed as Agent do?
Who should I appoint as my agent?
Where can someone get a medical or healthcare proxy?
Can a medical or healthcare proxy be revoked or changed?
For what period of time is a medical or healthcare proxy valid?
What should be done with the medical or healthcare proxy when completed?
What if I have an existing medical or healthcare proxy?
How will a hospital know if my information is registered with OnlineMedicalRegistries.com?
Can information registered with OnlineMedicalRegistries.com be changed or updated?
What is an accredited hospital?
Does OnlineMedicalRegistries.com have an automatic notification system?
How is my information protected?
How much does it cost to register my information with med proxy?
What is a medical or healthcare proxy?
A medical proxy, healthcare proxy or medical power of attorney (an advance directive) is a document in which you appoint an Agent (surrogate) and an Alternate Agent, to make medical decisions in the event, for any reason or at any time you are unable to do so.
A medical proxy, healthcare proxy or medical power of attorney is not the same thing as a living will, which does not authorize anyone to act as Agent. Living wills are used in cases of terminal illness, and do not delegate legal authority to an Agent for healthcare decisions.
Why should someone have a medical or healthcare proxy?
You should have a medical or healthcare proxy to ensure that a trusted person will make medical decisions in the event you are unable to communicate.
Who should have a medical or healthcare proxy?
Everyone-whether you are single, married, or living with a partner.
What does the person appointed as Agent do?
The person you designate as Agent may make medical decisions only when you are unable to make or communicate such decisions. An Agent may not make decisions unless the attending physician, in writing, certifies that you are unable to make or communicate such decisions. An Agent may make any decision you would make if you were able to do so, including consent to or refusal of medical treatment. Any exceptions may be clearly listed on the proxy form. An Agent has the right to obtain information, including confidential medical records.
You may include limits to your Agent's authority and/or designate exclusion of or desire for certain treatments.
Who should I appoint as my agent?
You should appoint as your agent someone who is willing and able to fulfill your wishes and make decisions on your behalf. Your agent's decisions about your care should be reflective of the decisions you would make if you were able to do so.
To learn more about choosing an agent, follow this link.
Where can someone get a medical or healthcare proxy?
Proxy forms are available through lawyers and most hospitals. Proxy requirements may vary from state to state. These are legal documents. If you have any questions regarding a proxy, you should contact your hospital, physician or legal advisor. This link shows an example of the proxy created through OMR.
Can a medical or healthcare proxy be revoked or changed?
Yes, you may change or update your proxy information at any time.
For what period of time is a medical or healthcare proxy valid?
Your medical or healthcare proxy is valid until you revoke or change it.
What should be done with the medical or healthcare proxy when completed?
A copy (or duplicate original) of your medical or healthcare proxy should be given to your primary care physician and to the person you have designated as Agent. A copy (or duplicate original) should be kept in a readily accessible place. By registering with OnlineMedicalRegistries.com your information will be available to accredited hospitals and healthcare providers. OMR also permits subscribers to store a scanned copy of their executed proxy, which can be printed locally by a hospital for use on your behalf.
What if I have an existing medical or healthcare proxy?
If you have an existing, valid medical or healthcare proxy and you do not wish to change any of the information, all you have to do is register with OnlineMedicalRegistries.com and your proxy information will be instantly available to authorized hospitals.
If you have an existing, valid medical or healthcare proxy but you would like to change whom you name as Agent or Alternate Agent, in addition to registering your new information at OMR you must prepare a new proxy.
If you have an existing, valid medical or healthcare proxy and you do not wish to change either your Agent or Alternate, but some of the information is out-of-date, you may simply register with OMR, using the updated information. It is a good idea to revisit your registration information periodically to ensure your data is current and accurate.
OMR also permits subscribers to store a scanned copy of their executed proxy, which can be printed locally by a hospital for use of your behalf.
Having all your proxy, emergency medical and contact information or that of your children immediately accessible in an emergency can be critical, when every second counts. It ensures that important information will be available to emergency care providers and that family, friends, agents and caregivers will be notified on your behalf.
How will a hospital know if my information is registered with OnlineMedicalRegistries.com?
Any accredited hospital can access our database to search for your information or that of your children. You will be able to print out an OMR subscriber card when you register which you should keep with other important cards such as your driver’s license, insurance card or other IDs.
Can information registered with OnlineMedicalRegistries.com be changed or updated?
Yes, at any time. Simply by going to members log in and entering your ID and password, you can add or change any information. Only you, or those you designate, such as your physicians or other caregivers can make changes to the registered information. Since there is no additional charges, you should update your proxy or emergency medical information after any illness, hospitalization or when medication prescriptions are changed; at least once a year.
What is an accredited hospital?
Accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (Joint Commission). The Joint Commission is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality indicating that a hospital meets certain performance standards. Because these standards reflect state-of-the-art performance expectations, organizations meeting these standards continually improve their ability to provide quality patient care.
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Does OnlineMedicalRegistries.com have an automatic notification system?
Whenever your proxy information is accessed by an accredited hospital, an e-mail will immediately be sent to your agent and alternate agent and anyone else you designate, at the email address you have provided, with the hospitals' name, address and phone number. In addition, a copy of this email will be sent to you for your records.
How is my information protected?
To review our privacy and security policy, go here to review our privacy and security policy.
How much does it cost to register my information with OnlineMedicalRegistries.com?
There is an annual charge of $24.95 for registration for each subscriber, which makes your information available in an emergency and allows you to update or change your information whenever you choose, at no additional cost.
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