A medical power of attorney is a legal document that grants another person (a representative or medical proxy) the authority to make medical treatment decisions on your behalf in the event that you are unable to express your opinion yourself. It is an important tool that allows you to preserve your rights and personal values even when your decision-making capacity is affected by illness or accident.

In Israel, a medical power of attorney is regulated according to the Law of a Patient in the Process of Dying (5746–1986) and additional laws in the field of patient rights. The law office of Attorney David Vasserman in Modiin specializes in the preparation and filing of these documents in a legally proper manner, while adhering to all legal requirements.

Types of Medical Power of Attorney

• General Medical Power of Attorney — grants the attorney-in-fact general authority in all medical decisions, including routine treatment, examinations, and surgeries.
• Durable Medical Power of Attorney — remains in effect even if you lose capacity, unlike a regular power of attorney which terminates in such circumstances.
• Limited Medical Power of Attorney — restricted to specific areas, such as pain management, certain examinations, or decisions regarding long-term care treatment.
• Combined Medical Power of Attorney — combines general instructions with specific instructions regarding end-of-life care, in accordance with the Law of a Patient in the Process of Dying.

In recent years, many families in Israel understand the importance of a durable medical power of attorney as part of responsible family planning. It is not merely a matter of age — even young people may use this tool to protect themselves.

A medical power of attorney constitutes critical family security and essential personal property. When you are deemed incapable of making decisions on your own, without a proper document, your rights may be protected only partially, or decisions may be made by legal entities with prolonged delays.

Key Advantages

• Preservation of Your Dignity — You determine in advance who will be entrusted to make decisions on your behalf, in accordance with your personal values and actual medical needs.
• Avoidance of Prolonged Legal Proceedings — Without a proper document, a court will intervene in every significant decision, which requires time and money.
• Protection of Your Privacy — This document is maintained in complete discretion and only among trusted individuals.
• Full Legality — A medical power of attorney prepared by an experienced attorney ensures that the document will be accepted by hospitals and healthcare providers without question.
• Family Peace of Mind — Your family will know that decisions will be made in accordance with your wishes, which reduces stress and family disputes during a medical crisis.

The Law Office of David Wasserman is dedicated to helping you understand all the implications and ensuring that your document accurately reflects your values and instructions.

The Patient on Life's Final Path Law (5746–1986) is fundamental legislation in Israel that regulates patient rights at advanced stages of terminal illness. A medical power of attorney combined with directives under this law allows you to express your wishes regarding palliative care, medication, and symptomatic treatment at the end of life.

Important Components of a Legal Medical Power of Attorney

• Advance Directives — You can specify in advance your position regarding artificial treatment (such as artificial ventilation), life support, and treatment of persistent vegetative state.
• Selection of a Continuing Medical Representative — A person authorized to make medical decisions on your behalf even if you lose complete capacity for self-determination.
• Supporting Documents — You may wish to add a personal letter explaining your medical values and views regarding treatment.

Law Office of Adv. David Wasserman has extensive experience in preparing these documents in accordance with the Patient on Life's Final Path Law, while ensuring compliance with all technical and legal requirements.

In some cases, a medical power of attorney may be granted to a healthcare provider (health organization) or a specific family member. This occurs when you wish an institutional body or a specific family member to be responsible for coordinating your medical care.

Medical Power of Attorney to a Healthcare Provider

When you grant a medical power of attorney to a healthcare provider (health fund), you allow a representative of the health fund to make medical treatment decisions on your behalf in certain areas. This can be useful if you prefer to concentrate decision-making with a single professional body.

Medical Power of Attorney for a Family Member

A medical power of attorney for a specific family member (such as a spouse, parent, or son/daughter) allows that person to make decisions on your behalf. This requires deep and clear trust in that family member, as they will be responsible for adhering to your values and wishes.

In recent times, many families choose a combination — a power of attorney for a family member combined with a general power of attorney to a healthcare provider in case the family member is unavailable. This ensures there is an alternative legal option.

After signing a medical power of attorney, it is important to deposit it in relevant places to ensure it will be accessible when needed.

Main Depositories

• Your Health Insurance Fund — Most health insurance funds in Israel accept copies of medical powers of attorney and keep them in your medical file.
• Your Local Hospital — If you are being treated at a specific hospital, depositing the document there ensures that the medical staff will be aware of your instructions.
• Ministry of Health — The Ministry of Health maintains a public registry of important medical documents, and you can deposit an official copy there.
• Attorney or Notary Public — We keep a secure copy in your file and update our records according to future needs.
• In Your Personal File at Home — Keep a signed copy in your home in a safe place, and inform your family member or medical representative where it is located.

Law Office of Attorney David Wasserman handles all aspects of document deposit and ensures it is properly documented with all relevant authorities.