Remember that the purpose of these documents is to provide instructions to medical providers when you are not in condition to do so yourself. In that situation you also will not be able to communicate if you have a Living Will or Healthcare Power, where your copies are, or who else may have copies. Accidents are by far the most frequent factor generating the need for providers to quickly access your medical directives. Usually, if you’re able to have your doctor check you into your hospital, you aren’t in a situation where your medical directives will need to be immediately exercised.

Scenario: You are in an accident or suddenly taken ill. An ambulance is dispatched and you are taken to the nearest qualified medical facility. Even if you are home when the event happens, there is a good chance that the facility you are taken to does not have your Living Will or Healthcare Power of Attorney on file. If you are away from home, the chances are even lower. Since you cannot communicate, you can’t tell the emergency room staff the name of your doctor or provide contact information for your healthcare agents or relatives. The medical staff needs to begin treatment immediately. If you expect them to follow the dictates of your healthcare documents (and you must or you wouldn’t have taken the time and expense to have them prepared), you have to make it easy for them to locate copies. Medical Directives Online provides easy access to your healthcare documents-anytime, anywhere.