How to Fill Out Texas Designation of Health Care Agent (w/Examples) + FAQs

The Texas Designation of Health Care Agent—officially called the Medical Power of Attorney under Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 166—is the legal document that lets a competent Texas adult name another adult to make health care decisions if a doctor certifies the principal cannot make those decisions personally. The form takes effect only after a physician’s written certification of incapacity, and it gives the named agent authority over almost every medical choice except a few statutory exceptions like voluntary inpatient psychiatric commitment, abortion, and any treatment violating the agent’s conscience.

A 2024 AARP survey found that only about 45% of U.S. adults have any advance directive, and Texas hospitals report that incomplete or improperly witnessed Medical Powers of Attorney are among the top three reasons surrogate decision-making defaults to the statutory priority list under §166.039. Filling this form out correctly the first time prevents a family from ending up in probate-style disputes during a medical crisis.

• 🩺 How the Texas Medical Power of Attorney works under Chapter 166, Subchapter D
• ✍️ Line-by-line instructions for every field, witness block, and signature on the HHS statutory form
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Three full filled-out examples featuring named filers in real Texas situations
• 🏥 Where to deliver the signed form, who must keep copies, and how providers verify it
• ⚖️ How this form interacts with the Directive to Physicians, Out-of-Hospital DNR, HIPAA release, and Statutory Durable POA

What the Form Is and Who Must File It

The Texas Medical Power of Attorney (MPOA) is the statutory advance directive authorized by Texas Health & Safety Code §166.151 that designates a “health care agent” to consent to, refuse, or withdraw medical treatment on the principal’s behalf. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission publishes the model form, but any document containing the substantive content required by §166.164 is legally valid. The form is not filed with a court or state agency; it is executed privately and shared with treating providers.

Any competent adult age 18 or older—or an emancipated minor under Texas Family Code §31.006—may sign one. Hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies licensed in Texas must ask each adult patient on admission whether they have an advance directive under the federal Patient Self-Determination Act, which is why the form matters at every hospital intake desk in the state.

The form is most commonly completed by aging adults planning ahead, adult children helping a parent, married couples doing reciprocal directives, single LGBTQ+ adults who want to override biological-family default rules, college students traveling out of state, and patients facing surgery or a terminal diagnosis. Each filer profile changes which optional clauses matter most, but the core nine-section form is identical for everyone.

The form’s revision date currently in circulation is printed on the bottom of the HHS PDF and was last updated to align with the 2017 statutory amendments to §166.164. Always confirm the date in the footer matches the current HHS publication before signing.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Gathering everything in advance prevents mid-signing scrambles and reduces the chance of a witness disqualification that voids the document. The Texas form is short, but the supporting decisions behind it are not.

• Government photo ID for the principal — the witnesses or notary will compare the signature, and a mismatched name (maiden vs. married) is the single most common reason a hospital flags a form for verification.
• Full legal name, address, and date of birth of the proposed agent — providers must be able to identify the agent by phone at 2 a.m., so include a middle name and current cell number.
• Same identifying information for at least one alternate agent — §166.152(b) lets you name successors, and naming none is the second most common error.
• A list of treatments you want to limit or refuse — examples include long-term mechanical ventilation, artificial nutrition, dialysis, blood transfusions for religious reasons, or experimental therapies.
• Religious, cultural, or values statements — Catholic, Jewish, Jehovah’s Witness, Muslim, and secular humanist filers often add a clause referencing their tradition; the USCCB Ethical and Religious Directives and similar texts are commonly cited.
• Two qualified witnesses or a notary — §166.003 disqualifies the agent, anyone related by blood or marriage, anyone entitled to the estate, the attending physician and their employees, and certain facility staff from acting as Witness 1.
• A copy of any existing advance directive — a new MPOA automatically revokes a prior one under §166.155, and you want to deliver revocations to every prior holder.
• Names and fax numbers of your primary care physician, specialists, and preferred hospital — you’ll send signed copies the same day, and Texas hospitals still routinely use fax for advance directive intake.
• A HIPAA authorization — the MPOA grants HIPAA access automatically once it takes effect under §166.152(e), but a standalone HIPAA release lets your agent gather records before incapacity.
• Optional: registration fee for the Texas Secretary of State Advance Directives Registry — though Texas no longer maintains a centralized registry, the U.S. Living Will Registry and DocuBank accept Texas MPOAs.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

The official statutory form is hosted by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission on its Advance Directives page, and the direct PDF is the version every Texas hospital recognizes on sight. The form is free, in the public domain, and may be reproduced as long as the statutory disclosure statement required by §166.163 appears on top.

You can also obtain identical forms through the Texas Hospital Association, the State Bar of Texas, most Texas hospital admissions desks, and county Area Agencies on Aging listed by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. The Five Wishes document, sold by Aging with Dignity, also satisfies §166.164 if signed with proper Texas witness or notarization formalities.

The form must be in English or Spanish under §166.164(c); the HHS site provides both. Other languages require a certified translation attached to the executed original. Print on plain white paper, single-sided, in at least 12-point type, because some hospitals scan and reject illegible faxes.

Online execution is permitted in Texas under the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, Bus. & Com. Code Chapter 322, but most providers still require a wet-ink original or a notarized electronic version, so paper remains the safest path.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Texas Medical Power of Attorney Line by Line

The statutory form has nine logical sections: the Disclosure Statement, the Designation of Agent, the Alternate Agent block, the Effective Date and Duration, the Limitations, the Optional Religious/Values Statement, the Prior Designations Revocation, the Principal’s Signature, and the Witness or Notary block. Each gets its own walkthrough below.

Section 1: The Disclosure Statement (Top of Form)

Plain English. The first page is a state-mandated warning paragraph that explains what you are about to sign. You don’t fill anything in here, but you must read it before signing.

How to handle it. Read every sentence. The disclosure tells you that you are giving another person broad authority over your medical care, that the form takes effect only on incapacity, and that you can revoke it at any time. Initial the bottom of the page if your version has initial lines; not all do.

Example entry. Maria Lopez reads the disclosure aloud to her husband Javier so he understands what he is signing, then initials “M.L.” in the bottom-right corner.

Nuance. If your form is missing the disclosure statement, the document is void under §166.163. Hospital-printed shortcuts that omit it cannot be cured by a witness statement.

Common mistake and consequence. Skipping the read-through and signing without understanding the scope is the most frequent root cause of later family disputes; an agent acting on a misunderstood form may make decisions the principal would have refused.

Misconception. Many filers believe the disclosure is “just legalese” they can ignore; in fact, it is statutorily required content of the form, not boilerplate, and a hospital ethics committee will reject a form missing it.

Section 2: Designation of Health Care Agent (Name, Address, Phone)

Plain English. This is the box where you write the full legal name and contact information of the person you trust to make medical decisions for you.

How to answer. Print the agent’s full legal name (first, middle, last), residential street address, city, state, ZIP, home phone, and cell phone. Use ALL CAPS or clean cursive, and avoid nicknames.

Example entry. James Robert Carter, 4412 Hollyhock Lane, Austin, TX 78745, (512) 555-0142 cell.

Nuance. The agent must be a competent adult and cannot be your treating physician or an employee of your treating physician unless that employee is your relative under §166.152(d).

Common mistake and consequence. Naming two co-agents jointly. Texas does not recognize joint health care agents; if you list “my son and my daughter together,” providers will follow only the first-named person, and the second name is treated as surplusage.

Misconception. Filers often think they need to name a Texas resident; the statute imposes no residency requirement, but a far-away agent who cannot reach the bedside in person creates practical delays.

Section 3: Alternate (Successor) Agent

Plain English. This is a backup agent who steps in if your first choice is unavailable, unwilling, or disqualified.

How to answer. List the alternate’s full legal name, address, and phone numbers exactly as you did for the primary agent. You may name a second alternate on a separate attached page.

Example entry. Linda Marie Carter-Nguyen, 1208 Pecan Grove Road, Round Rock, TX 78664, (737) 555-0199.

Nuance. Alternates serve in the order listed; if you want a specific tie-breaker, write “First Alternate” and “Second Alternate” labels.

Common mistake and consequence. Leaving this blank. If your primary agent is unreachable during a stroke or accident, providers will fall back to the surrogate priority list in §166.039, which may put an estranged relative in charge.

Misconception. Some filers believe an alternate can override the primary; in reality, the alternate has no authority unless the primary is unavailable, declines, resigns, or is disqualified.

Section 4: Effective Date and Duration

Plain English. This section sets when the form starts and when it ends.

How to answer. Leave the default language alone unless you have a specific reason to change it. The default is “indefinite” duration that begins only when a physician certifies in writing that you cannot make health care decisions for yourself.

Example entry. Robert Chen leaves the duration line blank, accepting the default of indefinite duration under §166.152(c).

Nuance. You may set an end date (e.g., “expires December 31, 2030”) if you only want coverage during a specific surgery window or deployment.

Common mistake and consequence. Writing “effective immediately.” This converts the form into a present-effect document, meaning the agent can make decisions even while you are competent—usually not what filers intend and a violation of the form’s design.

Misconception. People often think the form expires after seven years like some financial powers of attorney; under §166.152(c), a Texas MPOA has no automatic expiration unless one is written in.

Section 5: Limitations on Agent’s Authority

Plain English. This is where you tell your agent what they cannot do, or list specific treatments you do or do not want.

How to answer. Write in clear, plain sentences. Examples: “My agent may not consent to long-term mechanical ventilation lasting more than 14 days.” “My agent must follow Catholic teaching consistent with the USCCB Ethical and Religious Directives.” If you have no limits, write “None.”

Example entry. Sarah Goldstein writes: “I refuse blood and blood products in keeping with my faith as a Jehovah’s Witness; my agent shall not consent to transfusion under any circumstance.”

Nuance. Statutory exceptions already restrict agents from authorizing voluntary psychiatric commitment, convulsive treatment, psychosurgery, abortion, and conscience-violating care under §166.152(f), so you don’t need to repeat those.

Common mistake and consequence. Writing vague phrases like “no heroic measures.” Hospitals cannot interpret undefined terms, and ethics committees often default to full treatment when language is ambiguous.

Misconception. Filers think this section can authorize physician-assisted death; Texas does not permit it, and any such instruction is unenforceable under §166.050.

Section 6: Optional Religious or Values Statement

Plain English. A free-form space to describe your beliefs and values so your agent can apply them when no specific instruction fits.

How to answer. Write 2–6 sentences describing what a meaningful life looks like to you, what level of disability you would or would not accept, and any spiritual practices you want honored at end of life.

Example entry. David Ramirez writes: “I value independence, conversation with family, and my Catholic faith. If two physicians agree I will never regain awareness, I want comfort care and last rites from a priest.”

Nuance. Couples in community property marriages sometimes coordinate language so both directives align; this prevents conflicts when one spouse is also the agent.

Common mistake and consequence. Copy-pasting generic internet language that doesn’t reflect your actual values. Agents read this section in crisis moments, and impersonal text gives them no real guidance.

Misconception. Some filers think this section is legally binding line-by-line; it is interpretive guidance for the agent, not enforceable orders to physicians the way Section 5 limitations are.

Section 7: Revocation of Prior Designations

Plain English. Confirms that this new MPOA replaces any earlier one.

How to answer. The standard form already contains the revocation language; you do not write anything new. If you have an older MPOA on file at a hospital, send a written revocation notice along with the new form.

Example entry. Aisha Mohammed mails a one-paragraph revocation letter and the new MPOA to St. David’s Medical Center records department on the same day she signs.

Nuance. Under §166.155, revocation can also happen orally or by physical destruction of the prior form, but written revocation is the only kind hospitals reliably honor.

Common mistake and consequence. Forgetting to notify previous agents. They retain copies and may try to act in good faith during a crisis, creating conflicts at the bedside.

Misconception. Some believe a divorce automatically revokes a spouse-agent designation; under §166.155(b), a divorce does revoke the ex-spouse’s agency unless the form says otherwise, but the underlying form remains valid as to alternates.

Section 8: Principal’s Signature and Date

Plain English. You sign and date the form here.

How to answer. Sign your full legal name in ink exactly as it appears on your government ID. Date it MM/DD/YYYY.

Example entry. “Maria E. Lopez” signed in blue ink, dated 03/14/2026.

Nuance. If you cannot sign because of physical disability, another adult may sign in your presence and at your direction under §166.154; that proxy signer should print their own name and the words “at the direction of” beside the signature.

Common mistake and consequence. Signing before the witnesses arrive. Witnesses must observe the signature in real time; back-dated witness signatures void the form.

Misconception. Filers think a digital signature suffices in any setting; while electronic signatures are legal under Bus. & Com. Code §322.007, many Texas hospitals refuse them in practice.

Section 9: Witness or Notary Block

Plain English. Two qualified witnesses or one notary public must verify your signature.

How to answer. Choose one path. If using witnesses, both must be at least 18, and Witness 1 must not be the agent, related to you, entitled to your estate, your attending physician, an employee of the physician, or a facility employee involved in your care. Witness 2 has no such restrictions. Each witness prints name, signs, and dates. If using a notary, the notary stamps and signs in the acknowledgment block.

Example entry. Witness 1: “Carla Jensen,” neighbor, signed 03/14/2026. Witness 2: “Daniel Carter,” son, signed 03/14/2026.

Nuance. Notarization is preferred for out-of-state recognition; many states will honor a notarized Texas MPOA under §166.005 reciprocity but balk at a witness-only version.

Common mistake and consequence. Using two relatives as witnesses. Witness 1 is then disqualified, the form is invalid, and the principal must re-execute—often after they’ve already lost capacity, which means it can never be cured.

Misconception. Some filers believe a notary plus one witness is required; the statute requires either two qualified witnesses or a notary, never both, though using both belt-and-suspenders is harmless.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

The three scenarios below cover the most common Texas filer profiles and show every major entry on the form.

Scenario 1: Eleanor Vasquez, 78-Year-Old Widow Naming Her Daughter

Form Section	What Eleanor Enters
Disclosure Statement	Reads aloud with her daughter, initials “E.V.”
Agent Name and Contact	Patricia Vasquez-Lee, 7820 Bluebonnet Drive, San Antonio, TX 78230, (210) 555-0117
Alternate Agent	Michael Vasquez, 14 Heritage Court, Boerne, TX 78006, (830) 555-0144
Effective Date / Duration	Leaves default; takes effect on physician certification, indefinite
Limitations	“No long-term ventilation beyond 21 days; comfort care after that.”
Religious/Values Statement	“I am Catholic. I want last rites and burial in consecrated ground.”
Principal Signature & Date	“Eleanor M. Vasquez,” 04/02/2026
Witnesses	Witness 1: neighbor Janet Phillips; Witness 2: parishioner Hector Ruiz
Distribution	Faxed to Methodist Hospital and primary care physician same day

Scenario 2: Marcus and Tasha Bennett, Married Professionals Doing Reciprocal MPOAs

Form Section	What Marcus Enters (Tasha’s mirrors)
Disclosure Statement	Read together; both initial
Agent Name and Contact	Tasha R. Bennett, 1010 Kirby Lane, Houston, TX 77019, (713) 555-0102
Alternate Agent	Andre Bennett (brother), 55 Magnolia Way, Katy, TX 77450, (281) 555-0188
Effective Date / Duration	Default; indefinite
Limitations	“My agent must consider my wife’s MPOA decisions in parallel; we want consistent care.”
Religious/Values Statement	“Non-religious; I value cognitive function above longevity.”
Principal Signature & Date	“Marcus J. Bennett,” 04/02/2026
Witnesses / Notary	Notarized by Houston notary L. Tran, seal affixed
Distribution	Uploaded to Houston Methodist MyChart and DocuBank

Scenario 3: Jordan Kim, Single LGBTQ+ Adult Naming a Chosen Partner

Form Section	What Jordan Enters
Disclosure Statement	Reads with attorney, initials “J.K.”
Agent Name and Contact	Riley Alvarez (partner), 2233 East 6th Street, Apt. 4B, Austin, TX 78702, (512) 555-0166
Alternate Agent	Sam Park (best friend), 901 Westgate Blvd., Austin, TX 78745, (512) 555-0173
Effective Date / Duration	Default; indefinite
Limitations	“My biological family shall not be consulted or given access to medical records under §166.152(e).”
Religious/Values Statement	“I want my chosen family present; please honor my gender identity in all charting.”
Principal Signature & Date	“Jordan T. Kim,” 04/02/2026
Witnesses / Notary	Notarized at attorney’s office for out-of-state travel safety
Distribution	Wallet card, Apple Health record, copies to Dell Seton ER and PCP

How to File the Completed Form

Texas does not require filing the MPOA with any court or agency, but distribution is what makes the form actually work in a crisis.

• In person at hospital admissions: Bring the original to every hospital pre-admission visit. Most Texas hospitals scan it into the EHR (Epic, Cerner) within 24 hours; ask for a confirmation note in the chart. No fee. Keep a stamped copy as proof of delivery.
• By fax to providers: Fax to your primary care office, every specialist, and your preferred hospital’s medical records department. Include a one-page cover sheet listing the patient name, DOB, and “Advance Directive — Medical Power of Attorney.” Processing time is typically 1–3 business days. No fee.
• By mail: Send via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt to the medical records department of each provider. Address example: Medical Records, Houston Methodist Hospital, 6565 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77030. Cost: about $5 per envelope. Keep the green card as proof.
• Online registries: Upload to DocuBank (about $55/year) or the U.S. Living Will Registry (free for individuals). Both issue wallet cards with a 24/7 retrieval number that ER staff can call.
• Patient portals: Upload PDFs to Epic MyChart, Cerner HealtheLife, and similar portals operated by your providers; processing is typically same-day, free.
• Wallet card and phone: Carry a wallet card noting “I have a Medical Power of Attorney; agent is [name]; phone [number]” and store a PDF in your phone’s medical ID. EMS reads phone medical IDs on iPhone and Android.

Texas previously offered an Advance Directives registry through the Secretary of State; the program was defunded, and the Texas Secretary of State no longer accepts registrations. Private registries have replaced it.

What Happens After You File

Once distributed, the MPOA sits dormant until a physician—your “attending physician” under §166.152(b)—signs a written certification in your medical record stating you lack capacity to make a particular health care decision. Only then does your agent’s authority activate, and only for the specific decision or duration of incapacity.

Once active, the agent can consent to or refuse surgery, medication, hospice, transfers between facilities, life-sustaining treatment, and access protected health information under HIPAA. Hospitals must give the agent the same access to your record as they would give you under §166.152(e).

The form remains in force until you regain capacity, revoke it, or die. Capacity can return and be lost repeatedly; the agent’s authority toggles with each physician certification. If the agent acts in good faith and within the scope of the form, §166.160 immunizes them from civil and criminal liability.

If a family member disputes the agent’s decisions, the hospital ethics committee usually weighs in first, and either side may petition a probate court for guardianship under Estates Code Chapter 1101. A validly executed MPOA is strong evidence against the need for guardianship.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

• Using a disqualified Witness 1. A spouse, blood relative, heir, or treating-physician employee voids the witness block, and the form is invalid.
• Naming joint co-agents. Texas recognizes only one acting agent at a time; joint designations confuse providers and stall care.
• Leaving the alternate blank. A single point of failure means the surrogate priority list under §166.039 takes over.
• Vague limitations. Phrases like “no heroic measures” cannot be enforced and default to full treatment.
• Signing before witnesses arrive. Witnesses must observe the signing in real time; back-dating voids the form.
• Forgetting to revoke prior MPOAs in writing. Old agents may try to act in good faith, causing bedside chaos.
• Using the wrong form version. Pre-2017 forms missing the current disclosure statement are void.
• Signing while incapacitated. A principal must have capacity at the moment of signing; later certification cannot cure incapacity at execution.
• Naming a minor as agent. Agents must be 18; an underage agent designation is void from the start.
• Failing to deliver copies. A perfectly executed form sitting in a drawer is invisible to the ER team treating you.
• Using the agent’s name in Section 5 conflicts. Some filers list the agent again as a backup decision-maker, which is meaningless and confuses providers.
• Skipping notarization for snowbirds. Texans who winter in Florida or Arizona should notarize for reliable out-of-state recognition.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

• Do read the entire disclosure statement before signing—the law requires it and it protects you.
• Do choose an agent who lives close enough to reach the hospital quickly, because in-person presence shortens decisions.
• Do name at least one alternate, ideally two, to avoid the §166.039 surrogate cascade.
• Do discuss your values and limits with your agent in advance, so the document matches lived conversations.
• Do deliver signed copies to every provider the same day you sign, because crises don’t wait.
• Do review the form every three years and after major life events, since divorce, death, and moves can quietly invalidate choices.

Don’ts

• Don’t use a relative as Witness 1, because it disqualifies the witness block.
• Don’t name joint co-agents, because Texas law won’t enforce it.
• Don’t write vague limitations, because providers default to full treatment when language is unclear.
• Don’t sign before the witnesses arrive, because real-time observation is mandatory.
• Don’t forget to revoke prior forms in writing, because old agents may still try to act.
• Don’t rely on memory—keep a wallet card noting the form’s existence, because EMS makes split-second calls.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Pros of DIY filing

• Free—the HHS form and statute are public.
• Fast—most adults can complete the form in under 30 minutes.
• Private—no third party reads your values statement.
• Flexible—you can update or revoke any time without an attorney.
• Empowering—filling it out forces the values conversation with family.

Cons of DIY filing

• Easy to disqualify Witness 1 by accident in a household setting.
• Vague limitations may not match what hospitals can actually honor.
• Complex family situations (blended families, estranged relatives, LGBTQ+ chosen family) often need careful drafting.
• No coordination with your Statutory Durable POA, will, or trust unless you cross-check.
• Mistakes discovered after incapacity cannot be corrected.

When to bring in an estate planning attorney: blended families with stepchildren, prior contested guardianships, large estates with health-related trust provisions, religious restrictions that need precise language, or any situation where you expect family conflict. The State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a vetted attorney for a flat fee that typically runs $150–$500 for a directive package.

Texas Advance Directive Comparison

Document	What It Does
Medical Power of Attorney	Names an agent to make medical decisions when you cannot
Directive to Physicians (Living Will)	States your treatment wishes for terminal or irreversible conditions
Out-of-Hospital DNR	Tells EMS not to resuscitate outside a hospital
Declaration for Mental Health Treatment	Pre-authorizes specific psychiatric treatments
Statutory Durable Power of Attorney	Names an agent for financial decisions only
HIPAA Authorization	Releases medical records, separately or as part of MPOA

FAQs

Does the Texas Medical Power of Attorney need to be notarized?

No. The form is valid with either two qualified witnesses or notarization under §166.154. Notarization is recommended for out-of-state travelers because more states honor a notarized version.

Can my spouse be my health care agent and also a witness?

No. Your spouse can be your agent, but a spouse cannot be Witness 1; pick a non-relative neighbor, coworker, or use a notary instead.

Does divorce revoke my ex-spouse’s authority as agent?

Yes. Under §166.155(b), a divorce automatically revokes the former spouse’s designation, but any named alternate continues to serve.

Can I name two people as co-agents who decide jointly?

No. Texas law recognizes only one acting agent at a time; name a primary and an alternate instead, because joint co-agency is unenforceable.

Do I have to write something in Section 5 (Limitations)?

No. You may write “None.” Leaving it blank, however, sometimes confuses providers, so writing “None” or “I impose no limits” is cleaner.

Does my MPOA work in another state if I’m hospitalized while traveling?

Yes. Most states honor an out-of-state advance directive that was valid where executed under reciprocity rules similar to §166.005; notarization improves cross-border acceptance.

Can my agent override a Directive to Physicians I already signed?

No. Your written Directive to Physicians controls treatment in terminal or irreversible conditions; the agent must follow it under §166.033.

Does the MPOA give my agent access to my financial accounts?

No. It covers medical decisions only; you need a separate Statutory Durable Power of Attorney for financial authority.

Can a 17-year-old emancipated minor sign an MPOA?

Yes. An emancipated minor under Texas Family Code §31.006 has adult capacity to execute the form.

Do I write my maiden name or married name in the principal’s signature line?

Yes, use whichever name appears on your government photo ID; consistency with hospital and insurance records prevents identity-verification holds.

Is a digital or e-signed MPOA accepted by Texas hospitals?

No. While Texas law allows electronic signatures, most hospitals still require a wet-ink original or notarized e-version in practice, so paper is safer.

Can my agent authorize an abortion or psychiatric commitment for me?

No. §166.152(f) bars agents from consenting to abortion, voluntary inpatient psychiatric commitment, convulsive treatment, psychosurgery, or anything against the agent’s conscience.

How often should I update my Texas Medical Power of Attorney?

Yes, review it every three years, after marriage, divorce, the death of a named agent, a move, or a new diagnosis—because outdated forms create bedside disputes.

What if I sign the form, then later change my mind about my agent?

Yes, you can revoke at any time orally, in writing, or by destroying the document under §166.155; send written revocation to every provider holding a copy.