A medical provider shall have the authority of a guardian and conservator for the limited purpose of making application for medical assistance on behalf of a person whom the provider is treating if the person is unconscious or otherwise is unable to apply for medical assistance and does not have an existing power of attorney or a court-appointed individual to apply on the person’s behalf.

Terms Used In Nebraska Statutes 68-991

  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Person: shall include bodies politic and corporate, societies, communities, the public generally, individuals, partnerships, limited liability companies, joint-stock companies, and associations. See Nebraska Statutes 49-801
  • Power of attorney: A written instrument which authorizes one person to act as another's agent or attorney. The power of attorney may be for a definite, specific act, or it may be general in nature. The terms of the written power of attorney may specify when it will expire. If not, the power of attorney usually expires when the person granting it dies. Source: OCC