What if I change my mind after completing an Advance Health Care Directive?

You can revoke or change an Advance Health Care Directive at any time. To revoke the entire form, including the appointment of your agent, you must inform your treating health care provider personally or in writing. Completing a new Advance Health Care Directive will only revoke previous directives if it so states. In addition, if you revoke or change your directive, you should notify every person or facility that has a copy of your prior directive and provide them with a new one.

You should complete a new form if you want to name a different person as your agent or make other changes. However, if you need only to update the address or telephone numbers of your agent or alternate agent(s), you may write in the new information, and initial and date the change. Of course, you should make copies or otherwise ensure that those who need this new contact information will have it.

You should make a list of the people and institutions to whom you give a copy of the form so you will know whom to contact if you revoke the Advance Health Care Directive, update contact information, or make a new one..

Next: Do I need an Authorization for Release of Medical and Health Information?