What is different about Advance Directives in the State of Michigan?
Michigan has two kinds of Advance Directives. One is the Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare (DPOA-HC), which can be used in both inpatient and ambulatory care settings within the University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers. The other is a Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Declaration, which is for non-hospital settings. If either of these legal documents is missing certain elements, they may not be valid; however, the information in them could be used to show a patient’s intent or wishes regarding treatment choices.
A “living will” is not recognized as a legally binding Advance Directive in Michigan. However, a living will is sometimes combined with a valid Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care to help the Patient Advocate named in the DPOA-HC to understand the patient’s treatment choices.
- Advance Directives Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care booklet with forms – This booklet gives more information about Advance Directives as well as forms for Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and the Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Declarations.
Resources
You can get printed copies of the Advance Directives Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care booklet at:
- Your health center or clinic
- Any inpatient unit
- Guest Assistance Program (GAP)
800-888-9825 - Office of Patient Relations
877-285-7788
