Planning for comprehensive future care is essential when you experience an unexpected injury or illness. This is where a Life Care Plan proves advantageous. A Life Care Plan outlines future medical care and costs associated with a specific injury, illness, or incident. In recent years, Life Care Planning has seen a significant increase in popularity, especially as attorneys have begun to rely more on Life Care Plans to determine the value of their cases.
According to an article on Law.com, “As Life Care Planners’ areas of expertise grow more varied, lawyers increasingly see use for them. The demand is enormous.” By utilizing Life Care Plans, lawyers can determine future medical needs quickly, easily, and at a lower cost, making them a more mainstream practice in the industry.
So, what exactly is Life Care Planning, and how can it help? Let’s dive into the ins and outs of Life Care Planning and how it can maximize the value of your case.
What is a Life Care Plan?
Life Care Plans play a pivotal role in evaluating an individual’s medical needs following an injury or illness. Based on a reasonable degree of certainty, Life Care Plans provide recommendations that aim to manage symptoms, reduce complications, maintain function, and optimize independence for the client’s lifespan.
It’s important to note that the cost of treating anticipated complications is not included in a Life Care Plan. Instead, the plan approximates future medical expenses based on usual, customary, and reasonable charges (UCR), the amount paid for a medical service in a geographic area based on what providers in the area usually charge for the same or similar medical service. The Life Care Plan does not render opinions regarding the appropriateness of past medical treatment, or the impact of medical diagnoses on life expectancy.
During the assessment process, your clients are given the opportunity to discuss symptoms and limitations related to their injury and are asked to provide the names of treating physicians and the dates of treatment, if possible. The answers may reveal medical treatments and complaints that are not evident in the provided medical records. The Life Care Plan is essentially a living document and is subject to change if your client’s medical condition changes or additional medical records become available for review.
Who benefits from a Life Care Plan?
Whether you are dealing with a personal injury, slip and fall, medical malpractice, a severe injury/chronic illness case, or are shielding a defendant from unnecessary losses, our ultimate goal at MD Data is to reach the best possible outcome for your client. Each of our doctors is a Certified Life Care Planner and stands out in a field where less than 10% of Life Care Planners are qualified physicians.
How can MD Data Help?
At MD Data, our team of Certified Life Care Planners is one of the largest in the nation, consisting of certified Neurosurgeons, Orthopedic Spine and Extremity Surgeons, and Physiatrists who provide you with the expert support you need. With over 20 years of experience in Life Care Planning, we have the tools and credibility to deliver stronger, comprehensive, and personalized plans in just eight weeks.
Our certified Life Care Planners follow a consistent and thorough methodology when creating highly individualized Life Care Plans. The goal is to reach a fair value for all clients.
Our Life Care Plans Include:
- Thorough Case Review: A comprehensive examination of your client’s case and medical history.
- Chronological Review of Records to Date: Organizing and reviewing medical records chronologically to understand the progression of your client’s condition.
- Consultation and Collaboration: Consult with the client as well as their treating providers to analyze and support their current and future medical needs.
- Summary of Diagnoses: Provide a clear overview of your client’s diagnoses related to the incident and how they impact the individual’s life.
- Specific Medical Requirements for Treatment: Outline the specific treatments, medications, and care your client will require moving forward.
- Projection of Future Care Costs: Estimating the future costs associated with your client’s future care needs.
A Life Care Plan is an indispensable tool in the legal industry. It supports your negotiations and ensures that all clients receive fair compensation. Let us assist you in creating a personalized roadmap to cater to your client’s future needs!
For a free case assessment or to obtain more information, please visit mddata.com/submit-your-case.