HCPOA
Law & Legal abbreviation · Estate and Family Law
| Stands for | Health care power of attorney |
|---|---|
| Categories | Law & Legal |
HCPOA stands for Health care power of attorney, an estate and family law abbreviation also used in medicine.
Document in which a person appoints an agent, often called a health care proxy or surrogate, to make medical decisions if the person cannot make or communicate them. It often accompanies a living will stating treatment preferences.
Example: The hospital asked for a copy of the HCPOA before letting her daughter consent to the surgery.
Usage notes
Also called a medical power of attorney (MPOA), a health care proxy (the term in New York and Massachusetts) or a durable power of attorney for health care. Many states combine it with a living will in one advance directive form. The federal Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990 requires hospitals to inform patients of their right to make advance directives.
Related abbreviations
More estate and family law abbreviations
- EPO – Emergency protective order
- FBO – For the benefit of
- FOC – Friend of the Court
- GAL – Guardian ad litem
- GRAT – Grantor retained annuity trust
- GST – Generation-skipping transfer tax
- ICPC – Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children
- IDGT – Intentionally defective grantor trust
- ILIT – Irrevocable life insurance trust
- JDR – Juvenile and domestic relations district court
- JTWROS – Joint tenants with right of survivorship
- LPA – Lasting power of attorney
See all 50 estate and family law abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not legal advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.