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
For more information or for assistance with advance directives, please contact one of the resources below. You can also get printed copies of the Advance Directives Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care booklet at these locations:
- Your health center or clinic
- Any inpatient unit