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Just wanted to know if the doctors and nurses have to tell me what is going on with my mother. I have asked them to inform me, and I was told that my mother is her own person and they didn't have to tell me anything.

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If you ask the doctors to give you any updates they will update you. My mom's doctors call or text me nowadays because I ask them to.
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Why do you expect automatic updates? Most doctors are too busy. Since you have POA just call the doctor and ask for an update, or if you have to, setup a meeting with the doctor.
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Does your mom want you to have medical information? It’s up to her.
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A POA does not indicate that physicians need to give you updates on you mother's condition.

You need a healthcare proxy, which is a separate document. Then, you need to request in writing that you be notified with updates about your mother's health.
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Imho, you would have to be listed as one of the contacts with your mother's physician, e.g. even though I was my mother's agent (PoA), I initially was NOT a contact person with her physician. The grand niece who chauffered her was - until I had that amended.
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Is there a reason mom wouldn't want you to know? Just wondered in case there has been some estrangement issues. Go to all appointments with her and go to the back with her when called to be put in a waiting room. Then you'll hear everything first hand. While you're at each doctor visit, ask for their forms so you can add your name and mom can sign it and will be on file. If it asked for an end date, put 'indefinitely'.
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Joe, I have DPOA & the one for Health. Some places will not accept either, unless your mom is incompetent . I was told to have my husband also sign or give permission on their HIPPA FORM, then they will discuss her medical issues with you. If your mom won't give you permission on the HIPPA FORM , then they cannot legally divulge info.
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Please talk with an eldercare attorney about this and also, in addition to the POA, get a Power of Attorney - Health Care. That is different and applies to medical problems such as you are enduring. You need both of these documents.
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I would think if you have a medical POA and did you give them a copy of that, then they should be able to tell you anything about your mother.  IF they are not telling you anything, I would tell them the reason they are giving is not good enough.  Now, if you do NOT have a medical POA, then they can only give you info IF your mother says its okay.  wishing you luck.
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If possible, go to mom's Dr. appointments with her. Every appointment. You drive and then the 2 of you go for coffee, or dessert, or get nails done, so it becomes a treat to have you along. This way the Dr. and the staff get to know you. Let your mom speak with the Dr. and do not interfere, although you can sit behind mom and gently confirm what she says if you agree. If mom begins to believe that you are manipulating things it will go downhill, so tread carefully.

If there is an issue you want addressed and do not think mom will speak up, you can try giving the nurse or assistant a short note asking that the Dr. ask mom about the issue. Do this when mom cannot see it.
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If your mother is mentally competent, then she gets to decide who gets updates on her health and what info is shared. If she is deemed mentally incompetent by her doctor, then you need to give all health care providers copies of her medical POA along with a copy of documentation diagnosing the "mentally incompetent" status. After this, medical care professionals will share medical information with you. I suggest you go with your mother to her doctor appointments so you are aware of her health status changes.
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No, without HIPPA release the doc will not give you information. But, if you have a concern you can call or write the doc to tell them what is going on with mom. But, don't expect them to give you information in return.
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If your mother has not listed your name on her HIPPA LIST to give her permission
For you to to have access to her medical
Reports...the Doctor office hands are tied.
You needto convince Mom to add your name on that list just incase she becomes critically ill and you need access to thosecto take care of her...it a Federal law.
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If you have Health Care Power of Attorney AND your mother is incompetent. Yes. They have to give you updates.

If your mother is competent, your mother has to give permission to each health care provider OR modify the health care power of attorney to include permission even when she is competent.
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In order to exchange info about a loved one's condition by the doctor, a HIPPA form must be in place. This is a form that each person signs in the doctor's office to allow the doctor to talk about your condition to the people listed on the form. You should be offered one when you visit the doctor, if not ask for one. My doctor updates mine every year.
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I have my father's POA, but he has had to personally give each of his doctors the permission to give me information. The POA is for if he is unable to handle his own affairs. (Which he is able to do less and less, so I am taking over much of it). I still have to put him on the phone to give permission or have his signature for various things-especially involving medical or financial issues.
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I think if she is of sound mind and able to communicate they won’t Enforce the POA unless she allows it. I know the poa for my mother is only in effect because she can not speak or make decisions on her own.
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Were you made aware when the Power of Attorney was written that it is a document that is drafted when person IS (theoretically) intact cognitively?

When your mom designated you HER Power of Attorney, she was indicating that IF she should become unable to make decisions for herself, you would assume that role.

If her doctors believe that she is capable of managing her own health care, you aren’t needed as her POA, right now. This is important, though- if you feel that she is no longer functioning in a safe and reasonable manner, you can request that her doctor administer or arrange for an assessment. The doctor may discuss this with her, so she may get mad at you if she’s told that it was your suggestion.

I’ve described this process as it works in MY state. State rules vary. If I’ve made any mistakes, I’d appreciate someone to correct me.
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I was my mother's POA for health and finance. but for me to get medical information, she had to sign a HIPPA Waiver since she was not declared incompetent.
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Unfortunately "mentally capable" changes all the time, and means different things to different people, so even though mom isn't really capable, she can make her own decisions. I should know....
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AlvaDeer avatar
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AlvaDeer Oct 2020
It is certainly a subjective finding. For instance in the case of folks even making out legal paper, the things they must be able to answer and understand are different that a test of dementia. They need only to understand, in the opinion of the examiner, what they are doing as regards the specific repercussions of a document, a surgery, whatever.
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I found each time my mom was in the hospital, unless my mom signed the waiver, absolutely no information. Same at dr office. It’s HIPPA law.
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If your mother does not have a medical diagnosis of dementia or any cognitive issue that renders her incapable of acting in her own best self interests, then no, the doctors cannot talk to you about her medical issues due to privacy laws that they must follow (HIPAA - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Neither will they necessarily "intake" info from you about her. She needs to assign you as her Medical Representative on a form that can be requested at each doctor's office. She must designate you by name and then sign it so they have it on record. This needs to happen at each doctor she she sees.
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You are speaking of health care POA?
In general a POA does have access to information on a patient. Have you faxed a copy to the doctor?
For instance mine said "Unless you state otherwise your agent will have a right to...............(then lists pretty much EVERYTHING. Approve tests, select institutions, consent to or refuse any treatment, medications et al.) My POA also says "unless you direct otherwise your agent may....blah blah.
So read your POA and Advanced Directive to see what your rights are, then fax copies to doctors doubting your rights.
Also do understand that while your parent is mentally capable they can make their own decisions on any given day no matter what the directives say. That is to say they are in charge as long as mentally capable.
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Joe, I've found that the way to establish good communication levels with medical personnel is to research, research and research more, so you can communicate almost on their medical level and ask specific questions which impress them with the way you've prepared yourself. 

I'm surprised at the "your mother is her own person attitude".  Is this in an ALF, long term care, hospital???    

Instead, try asking specific questions about her conditions.    That might be a good start.   I almost always had a list of questions for medical appointments, or when I visited my father in rehab or eventually in palliative care.   I also did research on new doctors, including the time when I knew I was going to ask that one be removed from the group of attending doctors. 

Also, if you feel comfortable sharing more information about her condition, there are nurses here who can offer insights into various medical conditions.
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Are you referring to medical POA or Healthcare Representative? If Mum has not been declared incompetent, no they do not have to tell you anything at all.

If Mum has told them no to talk to you, they are bound by her wishes.

You have not completed your profile, nor given any details on what health concerns Mum may have.
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