“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 cost for individuals who have experienced catastrophic injury or have chronic health care needs. “

In instances where a child or adult sustains a catastrophic injury, the Life Care Plan is one of the key tools utilized in advocating and planning for clients.  The Life Care Plan details the nature of functional impairments, the resultant care needs, and, most importantly, the costs that will be associated with care provision.  The Life Care Plan projects these costs over the course of the individual’s lifetime, based upon the individual’s unique needs as well as accepted professional standards of care. 

Developing the Life Care Plan entails expert examination of all available, pertinent resources.  In some instances the Life Care planner is able to meet directly with the individual for whom the plan is prepared; in other instances the plan is more dependent upon detailed forensic records review.  Medical records, therapy records, school/educational records, and vocational records are key contributory elements in a value-added Life Care Plan. 

Increasingly, the Life Care Plan is taking on enhanced and varied uses within the legal setting and also meeting wide-ranging needs of individuals and families.  While the habilitative and rehabilitative aspects of the Life Care Plan are apparent in the cases of catastrophic injury and the subsequent treatments, adjustments and accommodations, the Life Care Plan aids in problem solving, and creates a “road map” for issues such as:

Preparations related to degenerative diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Lou Gherig’s disease (ALS), or other progressive health conditions

Habilitation, housing, treatment, and care needs for individuals with developmental disabilities over the lifespan

Estate and tax planning for families in which one member has significant and costly care needs; whether done pro-actively or retrospectively

• Pro-active planning for Medicaid or estate distribution purposes
• Retrospective analysis of care cost for custodial claims or tax purposes

Clients engaging Lifecare Innovations (LCI) for production of Life Care Plans are ensured the highest caliber of expertise and production of a formal document that will withstand legal scrutiny.  The Lifecare Innovations Team  of Expert Lifecare Managers function as Life Care Planners, and utilize their clinical proficiencies, analytical skills and  proven abilities in preparation of the written Lifecare Plan, and also function as Expert Witnesses.  Approaching the Life Care Plan process from the holistic nursing and social work perspectives, LCI’s experts are able to capture both the factual data and the case nuances that assist attorneys, clients, and others in their work towards just and equitable results.  In addition, clients and their families receive value-added data regarding future needs that is often times otherwise not readily accessible.