Which term refers to the individual designated to make medical decisions on behalf of another person?

The term that refers to the individual designated to make medical decisions on behalf of another person is known as a health care proxy. A health care proxy, also called a medical power of attorney, is someone who has been appointed by an individual to make healthcare decisions for them in the event that they are unable to communicate their wishes due to illness or incapacity.

This role is essential in ensuring that a person's medical preferences are honored when they cannot express them directly. The appointed proxy is typically someone the individual trusts, such as a family member or close friend, who understands their values and desires regarding medical treatment.

In contrast, a living will is a document that outlines the specific medical treatments an individual wishes to receive or refuse at the end of life, but it does not appoint anyone to make decisions. A durable power of attorney can encompass broader decision-making capabilities, including financial and legal matters, but when it pertains specifically to health care decisions, the term health care proxy is more precise. An advance directive is a broader term that includes both living wills and health care proxies but does not specifically designate an individual. Thus, the designation of a health care proxy is the most accurate answer in this context.