Medical Auth. for your child while away

[frkymcky]

Was wondering if anyone knew the verbage needed in a letter authorizing someone to make decisions or approve medical care for your child while you are on vacation. My husband and I will be away and both our parents will be taking care of our son we want to make sure should something happen they have authorization to get him medical treatment.

TIA
Lisa

 

[DLW8]

I wrote a letter like this when DH and I went to San Fran without the kids a few years ago.

I left one of the insurance cards (we have 2 sets) with my mom and dad, and a letter just stating that we give "mom" and "dad" the authority to make medical decisions for "child" and we signed them.

We have a notary at work and I may have had him notarize it just to make it official-like, but I really don't remember.

You can always google to see if there is real official language, but as long as you put the info in writing, and both parents sign it, you should be fine. Be sure to leave a copy of hte insurance card if you don't have an extra.

 

[CLEO Z]

It depends on your state. In Alabama I do what is called a delegation of parental authority just to be on the safe side. Its kind of like a power of attorney over the kids.

I suggest calling your pediatrician's office because many of them have forms you can fill out. Ask your local hospital if the same form will work for them if need be. It never hurts to have the form notarized too.

Otherwise you can also search forms out on the web for your state and then give copies to the Dr office to see if they wil accept it. If they will, then likely the hospital would. I googled "parental medical consent form" and the first link was to a hospital with a form for Indiana: http://www.stvincent.org/ourservices/childrens/resources/parentalconsent/default.htm Just remember that what works there may not work in your state. Medical providers in your state would be the most trustworthy sources for these forms.

 

[DonnaBelle06]

I have always done one of these when I send my kids to my Ils who lives in Maryland...

Also include any medications your child takes and the proper dosage (like 1 10 ml of motrin every 6 hours for pain/fever). Bring all meds to your parents so they have any in case its needed and they aren't sure what to buy.

Labels/Labels/Labels........it sounds a little repetitive but seriously if they are not use to taking care of a small child - knowing "exactly" what to give is so much of an ease.

Daily meds if any (my son takes them) I put them in a pill container so each day they knew what to give him without worry/question.

I never had mine notorized but it isn't a bad idea. Make sure to list they in case of an emergency "So and/or so and so" has my permission to seek any and all medical attention for <insert Childs name>. I always sent them my insurance card for them to have too.

Make sure you put on the sheet your name, contact numbers, child's full name and DOB in case they take it to the hospital so the info is at hand.

Good Luck ! I would never allow someone to watch my child without this (and I'm doing this for the sitter we've hired for the summer).