A Life Care Plan is an effective tool for evaluating and projecting future costs of medical goods and services through identification of the needs related to spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, birth-related impairments, burns, organ transplants, or any kind of chronic illness or injury. Life care planning has evolved from a practice primarily within the field of litigation support to application in elder care, chronic illness, and discharge planning. Our Life Care Planners can help in any of these arenas.
A Life Care Plan is a dynamic document based upon published standards of practice, a comprehensive assessment, data analysis and research, in a concise and organized plan for the current and future needs, with their expected costs, for the individual who has experienced a catastrophic injury or has chronic health care needs. The Life Care Plan can be updated and revised as the individual progresses through acute to long-term rehabilitation.
Med-Law Connection’s Life Care Planners are prepared to testify in court to educate the jury and to defend the plan submitted.
Med-Law Connection’s Life Care Planners can also critique a plan submitted by the opposing counsel and offer suggestions for cross examination approaches.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT LIFE CARE PLANNING
1. What is a life care plan?
A life care plan is an organized, researched plan that estimates an injured or disabled person’s lifelong future medical needs and the associated future costs of those medical needs. A life care plan reduces the potential for complications by identifying treatment recommendations to ensure quality of care. Effects of aging and impairment are taken into consideration as well as support systems in place.
2. Who develops a life care plan?
Life care plans can be developed by a variety of health care professionals. Registered nurses, legal nurse consultants and certified vocational counselors are the most common professionals who seek certification as life care planners.
3. What areas are addressed in a life care plan?
Each life care plan is individualized to the client’s medical situation and may include; home care/facility care, projected therapeutic modalities, diagnostic testing, wheelchair needs, wheelchair accessories and maintenance, orthopedic equipment needs, orthotics/prosthetics, aids for independent function, home furnishings and accessories, drug and supply needs, future medical care, transportation, architectural complications, leisure or recreational equipment, and vocational/educational plan.
4. How does the life care planner determine the lifetime cost estimate?
The Life Care Planner uses a standard process to identify the recommendations, including those made by the treating physicians regarding the medical equipment, services, and treatment required by the patient to promote good health and encourage independence. Through this process the Life Care Planner also identifies the cost, frequency and purpose. Vendors assist to determine the yearly cost of the item, and a projected life expectancy is utilized to provide costs in today’s dollar amount. An economist is recommended to adjust the plan with cost of living variables.