Estate planning often causes you to think about possibilities and emergency situations. If you are ever involved in an accident, for example, what will happen when first responders show up? Will they be able to identify you or find out important personal information? Without a medical alert card or an ICE card (in case of emergency card), people trying to help you may have a difficult time doing so. Here’s what you need to know about medical alert cards.
Information
Medical alert or ICE cards contain specific information about you, such as your age, blood type, medical conditions, allergies and what types of medication you are currently taking. They should also contain emergency contact numbers for your spouse, close family members, or anyone else you want notified should you be involved in an accident or medical emergency.
Creation
If you are technologically savvy you can create your own medical alert card at home. However, it may be a better idea for you to ask your attorney about an ICE card and what you need to include on it. This is especially important if you’ve chosen to create a do not resuscitate order, living will or other advance medical directive. Our law firm uses a service called Docubank, which is an electronic storage and access service for healthcare directives. As a service to our clients, we will pay for their first year of membership in the program and they will receive a card to carry with them. Regardless of how you create your ICE card, make sure you keep several copies available. It’s a good idea, for example, to keep one in your wallet, one in your glove compartment and copies at your home and office.
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