§ 5-1502K. Construction--health care billing and payment matters; records, reports and statements. In a statutory short form power of attorney, the language conferring general authority with respect to "health care billing and payment matters; records, reports and statements," or in a statutory short form power of attorney properly executed in accordance with the laws in effect at the time of its execution, the language conferring authority with respect to "records, reports and statements," must be construed to mean that the principal authorizes the agent:

1. To access records relating to the provision of health care and to make decisions relating to the past, present or future payment for the provision of health care consented to by or on behalf of the principal or the principal's health care agent authorized under state law. In so doing the agent is acting as the principal's personal representative pursuant to sections 1171 through 1179 of the Social Security Act, as added by sections 262 and 264 of Public Law 104-191, and applicable regulations. This authority shall not include authorization for the agent to make other medical or health care decisions for the principal;

2. To keep records of all cash received and disbursed for or on account of the principal, of all credits and debits to the account of the principal, and of all transactions affecting in any way the assets and liabilities of the principal;

3. To prepare, to execute and to file all tax, social security, unemployment insurance and information returns, required by the laws of the United States, of any state or of any subdivision thereof or of any foreign government, to prepare, to execute and to file all other papers and instruments which the agent shall think to be desirable or necessary for the safeguarding of the principal against excess or illegal taxation or against penalties imposed for claimed violation of any law or other governmental regulation;

4. To prepare, to execute and to file any record, report, statement, or other document to safeguard or promote the principal's interest, under a statute or governmental regulation;

5. To hire, to discharge, and to compensate any attorney, accountant, or other assistant or assistants when the agent shall think such action to be desirable for the proper execution by him of any of the powers described in this section; and

6. In general, and in addition to all the specific acts in this section enumerated, to do any other act or acts, which the principal can do through an agent, in connection with the preparation, execution, filing, storage or other utilization of any records, reports or statements of or concerning the principal's affairs.

All powers described in this section shall be exercisable equally with respect to any health care billing and payment matters, and records, reports or statements of or concerning the affairs of the principal existing at the giving of the power of attorney or thereafter arising, and whether arising in the state of New York or elsewhere.