If you want your spouse, children, parents (if you are 18 or over) or even a close friend to make your health care decisions when you are unable to speak for yourself, you must have two documents signed. We are here to help.
If you don’t have these two documents signed, Missouri state regulations will not allow your loved ones to step in make decisions for your health care. Verbal consent, marriage certificate or a will are NOT sufficient documents for someone to make health care decisions for you if you can’t speak for yourself.
- Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
You can name up to three people you wish to make decisions about your health care if you can not speak for yourself. - Health Care Directive
You can detail the type of health care you wish to have.
At any age, a medical crisis could leave you too ill to make your own health care decisions.
- A car accident could leave you unconscious.
- You have routine surgery and need to be on life support for a short period of time.
- You have a chronic illness.
If you DON’T have these documents signed, what will happen?
- Missouri regulations will not allow the person you wish to make your health care decisions if you are not able to speak for yourself. This includes your spouse, children, parents (if you are 18 or over).
- A physician will have to make health care decisions as a legal guardianship process begins.
- A legal guardianship will take months and costs thousands of dollars.
How do I fill out these two documents? It’s easy and quick.
- From start to finish, this process should take less than an hour.
- Mosaic offers this free service to the northwest Missouri region.
- A Mosaic expert will:
- Meet you where you are – your home, business, etc.
- Step you through the paperwork, ensuring your wishes are being documented.
- Notarize the document.
- File the documentation within your Mosaic medical record to ensure every health care provider knows your wishes.
- Meet you where you are – your home, business, etc.
The forms below make up your Advance Care Plan (Advance Directive).
- Durable Power of Attorney For Health Care Form (En Española) - please contact our Spiritual Health team if you have a special needs request. (Versión en español en proceso)
- Health Care Treatment Form (En Española)
Professionals are available to discuss your options. You may call Spiritual Health Services at (816) 271-6040 and ask for a chaplain or discuss this with your attorney.
More information:
PREPARE For Your Care - Begin your exploration into making decisions about End of Life care needs. Each section will be your guidebook for engaging conversations with your loved ones and your providers. Consultation is available with a professional once completed.
- Center for Practical Bioethics
- Center to Advance Palliative Care
- The Conversation Project
- National Healthcare Decision Day
- Mayo Clinic Living Wills/Health Care Directives Information
Additional resources
- National Center for Ethics in Health Care - United States Department of Veterans Affairs
- American Nursing Association: Code of Ethics for Nurses With Interpretive Statements
- American College of Physicians
- University of Missouri Center for Health Ethics
- Washington University Ethics in Medicine
- Cleveland Clinic Department of Bioethics
Contact Us
Contact a Mosaic expert today.
If you are a Mosaic caregiver or currently a patient in the hospital:
Spiritual Health Services
Phone: (816) 271-6040
Email: SpiritualHealthServices@mymlc.com
If you are a community member, please call:
(816) 749-4570
