New York health care proxy family decision guidance

NYSDOH explains how adults can appoint a trusted health care agent, such as a family member or close friend, to make medical decisions when they cannot.

New York · Active · Implementation Jul 4, 2026

What it is

What changed: NYSDOH's public guidance and form explain health care proxy planning, while New York Public Health Law authorizes a competent adult to appoint a health care agent and gives that agent authority, subject to limits, to make health care decisions and receive medical information needed for informed decisions.
Why it matters: Caregivers need a clear boundary between informal caregiving, hospital discharge caregiver designation, and formal health care agent authority before a crisis makes documentation urgent.
Who it touches: Family caregivers, People receiving careadults planning care, family caregivers, health care agents, patient representatives
What it does: Plans, studies, registries or guidance
Topics: End-of-life choices and planning

Sources

Last reviewed Jul 4, 2026. This is information, not legal advice; check the source for the current text.