If you or someone you love has a life-changing injury, you may already be wondering how you will pay for care that could last decades. The hospital bills are only the start. A life care plan is one way to put a number on what comes next.
A life care plan lists the care an injury will require for life
A life care plan is a detailed written report of the care you or your loved one will likely need, with the expected cost of each item. It is often used after catastrophic injuries such as brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and birth injuries. A plan can include therapy, medications, surgeries, equipment, home changes, daily help and transportation, with costs projected over a lifetime.
A certified planner builds the plan with your doctors
A certified life care planner usually writes the plan. This is a health care or rehabilitation professional who has completed specialized training, including a 120-hour certification program approved by an accredited body such as the International Commission on Health Care Certification.
The planner reviews your medical records and works with your treating doctors to identify what care you will reasonably need. An economist who works on legal cases may then estimate how those costs will grow over the years and what lump sum paid today would cover them. The plan reflects objective medical opinions, not a guess.
Insurers and juries use the plan to value future care
In a catastrophic injury case, the plan puts a dollar figure on your future care, which helps an insurer or a jury see what a lifetime of needs may cost. Kentucky law lets you seek future medical expenses, and a plan is one way to prove them to a reasonable degree of medical probability.
The other side may challenge a plan’s assumptions or hire its own planner, so a plan is evidence, not a guarantee. These costs add to the other damages recoverable in catastrophic claims, including lost earning capacity and ongoing pain and suffering.
Getting legal guidance on planning for future care
Planning for a lifetime of care can feel overwhelming, especially while you are caring for someone you love. An attorney who handles catastrophic injury cases can explain whether a life care plan fits your situation, help you bring in the right professionals and work with them on your behalf. Every case is different, but understanding your options early may help you plan with more confidence.