FORT RILEY, Kansas  –   Bringing your child for medical care at Irwin Army Community Hospital (IACH) should be a smooth and stress-free experience. To help ensure your child receives timely and efficient treatment, it's important to understand the legal requirements for medical consent for minors under the age of 18. This article will guide you through who can provide consent and how to ensure necessary documentation is in place for your child's next appointment.
 
Who Can Consent to a Minor’s Medical Care?
Under federal healthcare regulations, a minor (anyone under the age of 18) cannot receive medical treatment unless consent is given by:

• A biological parent
• A legal guardian (with court documentation)
• An individual holding a valid medical power of attorney (MPOA)

Stepparents and Other Caregivers
While stepparents, grandparents, or other caregivers may play an essential role in a child's life, they cannot authorize medical care for a minor unless they have an MPOA specifically granting them the authority to do so. Without this legal document, IACH is unable to provide medical services to a minor unless a biological parent or legal guardian is present.
 
What You Need to Do
To avoid delays in care, families should take proactive steps:

• Obtain a medical power of attorney: If a stepparent, grandparent, or another caregiver regularly brings a child to appointments, the biological parent or legal guardian should complete an MPOA form.
• Keep legal documents up to date: Ensure the hospital has the necessary paperwork on file before any scheduled appointment.
• Plan ahead: If the biological parent cannot attend the appointment, they should send the child with a caregiver who has the appropriate documentation.

How to Get a Medical Power of Attorney
A medical power of attorney can be obtained through the Fort Riley Legal Assistance Office. This document must be notarized and should specify that the designated individual has permission to consent to medical treatment for the child.
 
Ensuring Smooth Appointments
Our goal at IACH is to provide timely and effective care for every patient. Understanding and preparing for these consent requirements will help prevent any disruptions to your child’s medical treatment. If you have any questions, please contact our Patient Administration Division for guidance.