A healthcare proxy (also known as an HCP) is a document (legal instrument) with which a patient (primary individual) appoints an agent to legally make healthcare decisions on the patient's behalf when the patient is incapable of creating and executing the healthcare decisions stipulated in the proxy. Once the healthcare proxy is in effect, the agent continues to make healthcare decisions for the primary individual as long as the primary individual is legally competent to do so. Furthermore, the healthcare proxy is a legal instrument similar to a "springing" healthcare power of attorney in legal-administrative functions. The broker must specify which healthcare agent will be granted durable power of attorney. This document also notifies the agent of the principal's authority and defines the limitations of that authority.