For years, Dr. Chris Sepich counseled patients on the importance of advance directives and designating a healthcare power of attorney agent to ensure a clear, documented plan is in place in the event of a medical emergency. During those conversations, many patients asked if Chris could serve as their power of attorney.
However, the ethical responsibilities of serving as both a primary care physician and a patient’s power of attorney created a conflict. In 2018, Dr. Sepich began seeking legal guidance to find a proper solution for those patients.
What he found was a gap. No solution existed.
Why a Physician-Directed Healthcare Power of Attorney Agent Service Was Created
Drawing on years of clinical experience, Dr. Sepich had seen firsthand how the traditional “ask a family member or friend” approach could create challenges. Medical decisions were sometimes delayed because no decision-maker was available. In other cases, family members struggled with disagreements or uncertainty because their loved one’s wishes had never been clearly discussed.
Dr. Sepich just didn’t think it was fair to ask loved ones, who often do not understand the gravity of a medical situation or the medical system, to make critical medical decisions. He believed there should be a better option.
So, he built one.
After delays caused by life events and the COVID-19 pandemic, Your HCPOA, LLC was officially founded in North Carolina in June 2021, creating a new physician-directed approach to healthcare power of attorney services.