According to the official definition from the International Commission on Health Care Certification, "The life care plan is a dynamic document based upon published standards of practice, comprehensive assessment, data analysis, and research, which provides an organized, concise plan for current and future needs with associated costs for individuals who have experienced catastrophic injury or have chronic health care needs."
A life care plan is a way to plan for the lifetime needs of a disabled individual by identifying and outlining the costs of medical treatment, services, equipment, and supplies required to meet their needs. A life care plan is especially important and beneficial in cases of catastrophic and/or serious, permanent injuries.
The life care plan follows a standard methodology. It provides a summary of the medical treatment, documentation of the diagnoses, input from the patient and their family and/or caregivers, and input from the medical resources, typically their treating providers. A detailed accounting of the costs for meeting such needs, from nursing care to medical equipment and supplies, is then provided in an easy-to-read, chart format totaling the anticipated expenses over the client's lifetime.
A life care plan is not only a tool for planning and understanding the costs of medical treatment, it is also a tool for communication. As most people have never faced a serious or disabling medical condition, it is helpful to educate them about their needs and the costs associated with those needs. Educating clients and their families about their medical needs can help to prevent potential complications. The plan may also be used in consultation with rehabilitation professionals and case managers to help them to understand the lifetime medical and psychological needs of an individual.
Life care plans are most often used in litigated matters, but are also helpful in non-litigated matters for the purposes of planning and managing a disability. For instance, a special needs trust may benefit from having a life care plan completed for the client for the purpose of outlining the individual's needs, the associated costs, and providing a rationale for projected expenses. In litigated matters, a life care plan is a way to establish the long-term effects of a medical condition(s) and the associated economic damages. The life care planner serves as an educator who communicates the nature of the disability, the effects of the disability throughout the patient's life, and the reasonable treatment and services needed to maximize their quality of life and prevent complications.
I am always happy to discuss your case and provide input on how a life care plan may be helpful. Sample reports are also available upon request. Please contact me at 704-508-1985 or ashley@johnsonconsultingnc.com.
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