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Nurse Life Care Planning is a specialized area of nursing practice dealing with individuals who sustained
a catastrophic injury/ illness. The nursing process and nursing care plan is the foundation
of nurse life care planning. Just as in nursing school and clinical settings, Nurse Life Care Planners
use the nursing process to formulate a plan of care which is entitled a Nurse Life Care Plan. The
Nurse Life Care Plan process follows the standards set forth by the American Association of Nurse
Life Care Planners (AANLCP®) and the nursing process. The highlights of
the nursing process include assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation,
and evaluation. The Nurse Life Care Plan is a tool used for estimating medical and non-medical
needs of a client with a catastrophic injury/illness. As needed, the Nurse Life Care Plan uses a collaborative
approach of various health care providers and their opinions. The Nurse Life Care Plan is
intended to follow the client throughout his/her lifetime. The Nurse Life Care Plan is specific to the individual based on his/her needs. It is
an estimate of medical and non-medical needs as well as costs and may
be modified or reviewed as life situations change.
A Life Care Plan Review is requested when the opposing counsel has completed a Life Care Plan in a litigated case. Attorneys and insurance carriers request a Life Care Plan Review to assess the medical value of a case. Opposing Life Care Plans may be under- or over-estimated when determining future needs and costs. There may be errors in calculation. Opposing Life Care Plans may leave out essential future needs or exclude probable complications/secondary diagnosis related to the injury/illness. A Life Care Plan Review is then appropriate in assisting the attorneys and insurance carriers in preparation for the settlement or trial process. Also, the Nurse Life Care Planner may be requested to discuss the Life Care Plan Review in court trial and be designated as an expert witness.
A Medical Cost Projection is a snap shot of future medical care and related costs. It is an abbreviated version of a Life Care Plan. A Medical Cost Projection may be requested when taking a proactive approach to cost containment in the initial stages of the injury/illness. FIG can produce a document to help parties understand the specifics of the medical condition and projected care as well as anticipated secondary diagnosis or complications.
Also, a Medical Cost Projection may be requested for preparation for mediation in the settlement process. A Medical Cost Projection is not recommended for litigated cases and designation of expert witness.
Insurance carriers and attorneys request legal nurse consulting by a Nurse Life Care Planner to understand the impact of the medical condition in relation to future medical care or probable medical complications. Legal nurse consulting services assist the referral source in understanding the dynamics of the case. FIG will utilize nursing knowledge and insight to help parties resolve cases. Consulting services may include:
