When you travel without your kids...

[leahannpen]

... do you leave some sort of a medical form with whoever is watching them? Is it a good idea, or does it not really matter, as long as they have your insurance card? If you do leave a form, what does it say, and does it need to be officialized in any sort of way, such as notorized?

 

[decker96]

A few years ago, DH and I went to Boston for 5 days and left our kids with my parents. I typed up a paper saying that we gave my parent's permission to seek medical treatment for our children ( put their full names down) in the event of an emergency for the dates we would be gone. I think I added a day in case something happened and we didn't get back on time. Then DH and I both signed and dated it. We also left their social security cards and our insurance card.
We didn't get it notorized or anything and they didn't have to use it, so I don't know if you need it notorized or not. Might be a good idea. We wrote it up at the last minute, so we didn't have a chance to get it notorized, but I probably would next time.
Hope that helps!

 

[mrsltg]

I leave a signed form saying that we authorize whomever is watching them (make sure you put the person's full name) to authorize medical treatment.

If it's a life threatening emergency this won't matter, but if it's stitches or a broken bone or even a bad cough, the doctor or er will need permission from the parents of the child. You should also leave their insurance card.

Erin

 

[CamColt]

Weve only done it once, but like mrsltg we leave a notarized letter authorizing whoever is watching them to make all medical decisions for them..somethng to that effect.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by leahannpen
... do you leave some sort of a medical form with whoever is watching them? Is it a good idea, or does it not really matter, as long as they have your insurance card? If you do leave a form, what does it say, and does it need to be officialized in any sort of way, such as notorized?

Or visa versa. When my kids go somewhere without us. One year my DS lacerated his foot at Cape Cod. There was a form but the hospital wanted more specific information to treat so I had to fax them specific consent.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Yes, we write up a signed authorization of medical treatment, along with our insurance card.

 

[SnowAngel]

I know where I live, you are required to get it notarized.

 

[mtblujeans]

With the permission to treat, you should also list every phone or cell number you can possibly list. Ages and ages ago I used to work in an emergency room. Even if someone brought a permission to treat in with a child, they always wanted to talk to the legal guardian too to make sure the paper was not forged. You don't want to delay treatment by leaving off the phone number.

 

[froglady]

Originally posted by SnowAngel
I know where I live you are required to get in notarized.

Same here...it has to be notarized before a hospital will accept it. I've done this many times, and when my children have gone away without me, I've had to supply one.

I'm my mother's Health Care Surrogate, and both her primary care physician and nearest hospital have a copy on file.

 

[tc]

A few years ago, a high schooler from our church (Haley) stayed with us while her mom and stepdad went to Germany for 3 weeks. Her natural father lived in Washington and was pretty much out of the picture. I asked them to leave a release for medical care, notarized. The thought it was unnecessary. However, Haley was in a terrible car accident on her way to a swim meet (she was a coach for a little girls team for the City). She got three compression fractures in her back. They would not treat her until I got to the hospital (40 miles away) and showed the notarized paper and my ID. I don't know what would have happened if I had not had that paper.

BTW, Haley recovered, got a worker's comp settlement and a settlement from the other driver (he ran a stoplight) and is now a college graduate with no student loans!

 

[leahannpen]

Originally posted by tc
A few years ago, a high schooler from our church (Haley) stayed with us while her mom and stepdad went to Germany for 3 weeks. Her natural father lived in Washington and was pretty much out of the picture. I asked them to leave a release for medical care, notarized. The thought it was unnecessary. However, Haley was in a terrible car accident on her way to a swim meet (she was a coach for a little girls team for the City). She got three compression fractures in her back. They would not treat her until I got to the hospital (40 miles away) and showed the notarized paper and my ID. I don't know what would have happened if I had not had that paper.

BTW, Haley recovered, got a worker's comp settlement and a settlement from the other driver (he ran a stoplight) and is now a college graduate with no student loans!

Wow is that awful!! For all of you.... thank God you had that paper. I'm so glad to hear it turned out okay! I'm going to call our local hospital and see what they require...notory or not, that type of thing. Better to be safe than sorry!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

When I was in High School I babysat for a family all of the time. They had a notarized form that gave me persmission to make medical decisions for the children. I don't think it had dates on it because she asked me to keep it in my wallet so I would always have it. (I watched them a lot.)

 

[BrinxFam]

Each of my parents and my brother have a notarized emergency medical authorzation for each of my girls. They have no dates on them so they can be used at any time if necessary.

When my oldest DD went on a camping trip with my BIL & SIL they took one with them that was dated for the weekend.

My mom carries the one she has even when we are on vacation together in case something happens to me or DH.

We think its a good idea just in case.

 

[binny]

always leave a medical release even over night.

 

[jimmalru80]

Can't remember the last time we traveled w/o the kids, but I do recall that DW prepared a medical release form just in case.