A Kansas Advance Directive for Health Care is a set of instructions about preferred medical care that takes effect when a patient becomes unable to make decisions. In addition to listing preferences for medical care, the form provides individuals with the option of appointing a health care proxy. A health care proxy - otherwise known as a health care agent or surrogate - is a person who has the authority to make health-related decisions on another person's behalf.
Download a pre-made form through the link below or make your own Advance Directive with our form builder.
If an individual has never had an Advance Directive made, any health care decisions may be made for them by a court-appointed guardian (a spouse, an adult child, an adult sibling, an adult relative or a professional).
There is a difference between this form and a Living Will in Kansas. A Living Will is a specific type of an Advance Directive for Health Care that becomes effective only in the event of a terminal illness. The form is regulated by § 65-28,101 of K.S.A. Chapter 65 . The document must be witnessed by two (2) or more adult individuals.
An Advance Directive is a written form that lists an individual's preferences for medical care and grants a spouse, child, family member, friend or attorney the authority to make decisions regarding health care on the individual's behalf. All of these documents include two separate parts:
You'll need to follow these important steps when preparing your document:
STEP 1 - Choose your health care agent - or proxy. This agent should be a person you trust to make medical decisions for you.
STEP 2 - Consider the kinds of treatment you do or do not want to receive in the event of a serious illness or incapacitation. Consider whether you want to:
STEP 3 - Keep the original completed and signed Advance Directive form with your medical records and give copies out to your health care proxy, physicians, health care providers, and - if necessary - to family members and close friends.