Advance Directives
About Advance DirectivesTake charge of your health by making an advance directive. Everyone 18 years old and older needs someone to speak for them. Name a person to be your health care agent – a person you trust – who will respect your health care wishes and speak for you if you cannot speak for yourself. An advance directive is a written statement about your wishes for health care. It tells doctors, hospitals, and other providers who can speak for you if you cannot speak for yourself.
Start by creating an account on Maryland’s MyDirectives.com web page.
What is an advance directive?
An advance directive is a written statement about your wishes for medical care. Advance directives make sure your wishes are carried out if you cannot communicate due to illness or injury.
Who should make an advance directive?
Everyone should make an advance directive. There is a misconception that advance directives are only important for people who are elderly or ill, but the truth is anyone – including you – can become sick or injured unexpectedly at any time.
Is it easy to make an advance directive?
Creating an advance directive is simple and free. MyDirectives.com/Maryland walks you through each step to complete an electronic advance directive.
The Maryland Attorney General’s Office has created a version you can print if you prefer a paper document. You and two witnesses must sign your advance directive document. Once signed by you and two present witnesses, always carry a copy of your advance directive document with you or upload it to MyDirectives.com/Maryland, where it can be viewed online when needed.
Share your advance directive with your doctor
No matter how you create your advance directive, talk to your health care provider about storing a copy of your advance directive and health care agent information in their secure electronic health record system. You may be able to update this information using the health care provider’s patient portal. A patient portal is a secure online website where you may view your health record and communicate with your care team.
Once you have created your advance directive, carry a wallet card to alert emergency personnel and healthcare providers of your wishes.
Complaints concerning noncompliance with the advance directive requirements may be filed with the State.
