The Commonwealth of Virginia is preparing to launch a statewide Advance Health Care Directives Registry that will provide a free, secure tool to store important documents that protect your legal rights and ensure your medical wishes are honored if you are unable to manage your own care. These documents would include your advance medical directive or medical power of attorney, do-not-resuscitate orders, and other specifics of your health care wishes.
While development of the registry is virtually complete, there have been unforeseen administrative delays. The draft regulations are expected to be put to an expedited public comment period in January, which would enable the launch of the registry 60 days later.
The December 2011 issue of Virginia Lawyer reported that without advanced planning, health care decisions are left to family members. This Registry will relieve loved ones of that burden and ensures that your loved ones and your health providers know what your wishes are in the event that you become incapacitated and unable to make your wishes known. When you sign up for the registry, you will enter basic information, create an account, and select a password and PIN. You will then receive an identification card containing your personal registry information so that health care providers can access your information. Your information can also be shared with family and loved ones.
To sign up for this registry, visit https://www.virginiaregistry.org. If you do not have a computer, you can still participate in the registry by calling 1-800-224-0791.
Bettina Altizer- Attorney at Law
Altizer and Altizer
324 Washington Avenue
Roanoke, Virginia, 24016
540-345-2000
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