In my state you MUST have a signed form, notorized and so forth appointing someone your healthcare proxy person while you are ill or injured that can make decisions for you. Once you get a settled routine going with a hospital or provider, they get to know pretty quickly that you are not going to do a thing unless your proxy is with you. They ALWAYS ask "where is Frank?" when I go alone. If on a rare occasion he is not with me, they always ask "is it ok with you, if we talk without him being here?" So, they have gotten used to us here.

Its always good to have an official decision BEFORE you are sick.