VA Form 10-0137A. What You Should Know About Advance Directives

VA Form 10-0137A. What You Should Know About Advance Directives

The VA Form 10-0137A, also known as "What You Should Know About Advance Directives," is an informational form used to provide veterans with information about advance directives and their options for medical decision-making.

The main purpose of this form is to educate veterans about advance directives, which are legal documents that allow individuals to make decisions about their healthcare in advance, in case they become unable to make decisions for themselves in the future.

The form consists of several sections, including an introduction to advance directives, information on choosing a healthcare proxy, and instructions for completing an advance directive.

Important fields include the veteran's name, contact information, and signature, as well as the name and contact information of their chosen healthcare proxy.

The parties involved in this form are the veteran and their healthcare providers. It is important for veterans to carefully review the information provided on the form and consider their options for advance directives before making any decisions.

When compiling the form, veterans will need to provide basic personal information and consider who they would like to appoint as their healthcare proxy. No additional documents are required to complete this form.

The benefits of completing this form include having control over one's healthcare decisions and ensuring that their wishes are respected in the event that they become unable to make decisions for themselves. However, there may be challenges and risks associated with advance directives, such as the need to update the document periodically and the potential for conflicts with family members or healthcare providers.

Examples of related forms include the VA Form 10-0137, which is an advance directive form that veterans can use to document their healthcare preferences, and the VA Form 10-0484, which is a form used to appoint a healthcare proxy.

In summary, the VA Form 10-0137A is an important informational form that veterans can use to learn about advance directives and their options for medical decision-making. While completing this form does not require any additional documentation, veterans should carefully consider their options and consult with their healthcare providers to make informed decisions about their healthcare preferences.