Maryland Advanced Healthcare Directive: Make Your Medical Wishes Known Before It’s Urgent

EmergencyNotaryServices.com
Jul 3
3 min read

In life’s most critical moments, having your healthcare wishes documented can make all the difference. In Maryland, an Advanced Healthcare Directive gives you the power to decide how you want to be cared for—especially when you can’t communicate those decisions yourself.

At EmergencyNotaryServices.com, we’ve partnered with AARP.com to make the process easy by providing free downloadable Maryland-specific forms. In this article, we’ll explain what these forms are, what each includes, and how to get them signed and notarized so they’re legally valid.

📘 What Is an Advanced Healthcare Directive?

An Advanced Healthcare Directive is a legal document that outlines your wishes for medical treatment and allows you to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf.

In Maryland, these directives are essential when:

You’re preparing for hospitalization
You’re facing a serious illness or surgery
You want to take control of your end of life care

With a valid directive in place, your healthcare team and loved ones can act with confidence, knowing they’re following your stated wishes.

📂 What’s Included in a Maryland Advanced Healthcare Directive Package?

👤 Appointment of Healthcare Agent

This form allows you to designate a healthcare agent—someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to. Your agent will have the legal authority to consult with doctors, approve or refuse treatment, and ensure your values guide your care.

✅ In Maryland, this must be signed in the presence of two witnesses (a notary is optional but recommended for extra legal assurance).

📝 Living Will (Health Care Instructions)

The Living Will portion of your directive outlines your wishes regarding life-sustaining procedures, such as CPR, feeding tubes, and ventilators. You can specify whether you want these interventions used if you are terminally ill or in a permanent unconscious condition.

This helps remove uncertainty and emotional strain from your family during already difficult times.

🔐 HIPAA Authorization

Without this authorization, your agent or loved ones may be blocked from accessing your medical records. This form ensures they have full access to communicate with doctors and make informed decisions.

❌ Maryland Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) (Optional but Important)

If you have specific preferences around emergency interventions such as resuscitation, intubation, or hospitalization, your doctor may complete a MOLST form. This physician-signed order is recognized by all healthcare providers across Maryland and complements your advance directive.

⏰ Why Complete These Forms Now?

Don’t wait until you’re in the ER to start thinking about your healthcare wishes. Completing your Advanced Healthcare Directives in Maryland ahead of time ensures:

✅ Your care matches your values
✅ Medical teams can act quickly and legally
✅ Loved ones are spared from making agonizing choices without guidance

📥 Click here to download your free Maryland Advanced Directive forms (via AARP)These documents are fillable, printable, and written to comply with Maryland law.

🖋️ Need a Notary? EmergencyNotaryServices.com Can Help

While Maryland law requires two witnesses to validate your advance directive, having it notarized can add an extra layer of legal assurance—especially if the directive is presented in different states or medical facilities.

🔍 Use our Notary Directory to find a local Maryland notary🚗 Can’t find a notary listed in your area? Request a free quote, and we’ll connect you with a mobile or remote notary who can meet you at your home, hospital, or care facility.

Our notaries are trained in handling healthcare documentation and ensure every signature is valid and legally binding.

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✅ Take Control of Your Care—Before It’s Too Late

Whether you’re planning for the future, facing a health issue, or simply being responsible, completing your Advanced Healthcare Directives in Maryland is a vital step.

Let EmergencyNotaryServices.com help you: