Iowa Code Title IV. Public Health [Chs. 123-158] § 144B.8. Revocation of durable power of attorney

1. A durable power of attorney for health care may be revoked at any time and in any manner by which the principal is able to communicate the intent to revoke, without regard to mental or physical condition. Revocation may be by notifying the attorney in fact orally or in writing. Revocation may also be made by notifying a health care provider orally or in writing while that provider is engaged in providing health care to the principal. A revocation is only effective as to a health care provider upon its communication to the provider by the principal or by another to whom the principal has communicated revocation. The health care provider shall document the revocation in the treatment records of the principal.

2. The principal is presumed to have the capacity to revoke a durable power of attorney for health care.

3. Unless it provides otherwise, a valid durable power of attorney for health care revokes any prior durable power of attorney for health care.

4. If authority granted by a durable power of attorney for health care is revoked under this section, an individual is not subject to criminal prosecution or civil liability for acting in good faith reliance upon the durable power of attorney for health care unless the individual has actual knowledge of the revocation.

5. The fact of execution and subsequent revocation of a durable power of attorney shall have no effect upon subsequent health care decisions made in accordance with accepted principles of law and standards of medical care governing those decisions.