healthcare proxy

American  

[helth-kair prok-see] / ˈhɛlθˌkɛər ˌprɒk si /

Or health-care proxy

noun

1. a legal document in which a person can appoint someone to make decisions for them about medical treatment in the event that they are no longer mentally competent or able to communicate.

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Etymology

Origin of healthcare proxy

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

Their thoughts instead turn to trusts and beneficiary designations for after-death instructions, and they focus heavily on the documents that come into play if you get sick, like power of attorney and a healthcare proxy.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

This is where you need to have a healthcare proxy named as well, so someone can execute the medical decisions.

From Salon • Aug. 30, 2020

We’re going to start to have to have some really hard conversations with their family members or their healthcare proxy, if they have one, about what to do next.

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2020

But with his former girlfriend out of the picture, Sumner Redstone last month designated his daughter as his healthcare proxy, giving her a much larger role in his affairs.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2016

Unable to talk, she wrote on a pad that she wanted me to be her healthcare proxy and I accepted.

From The Guardian • Apr. 3, 2016