In personal injury cases, the bottom line often depends on the cost of treating the injury in question. That makes getting an accurate assessment of future care costs an essential part of fighting for your client’s best interests.
Whether you’re representing the plaintiff or defendant, getting an accurate Life Care Plan or Medical Cost Projection from a cost consultant can be crucial to the outcome of your case. Unfortunately, not all cost consultants are equally reliable. If you need an airtight medical cost assessment, you should contact a Certified Life Care Planner for help.
Before you make that choice, you’re probably wondering just how qualified a Certified Life Care Planner is. You can keep reading to learn more about what certification means for a Life Care Planner and why you should hire a Certified Life Care Planner for your case.
What Is a Life Care Planner Certification?
A Certified Life Care Planner is someone who has attained the experience and skills needed to provide highly accurate future care cost reports utilizing a healthcare background. While certification explicitly includes the creation of Life Care Plans, this also serves as proof of a consultant’s ability to create Medical Cost Projections. Certification is earned through a combination of field experience and specialized education.
Who Provides Life Care Planner Certification?
Here at DM Medical Cost Consulting, our Life Care Planner Certification, LCP-C, is provided by the FIG Education Advisory Board. FIG Education is an organization focused on the education of medical cost consultants. FIG has focused on consultant education since 2008 and experienced Certified Life Care Planners conduct their classes. FIG also provides business advisory support to consultants offering services in the Life Care Planner space.
What Does It Take to Become a Certified Life Care Planner?
Anyone can conceivably attempt to make a Life Care Plan, but only those with specialized certification have the expertise needed to create top-quality reports. To become a Certified Life Care Planner through FIG, applicants must prove that they have the following qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree in a medical, healthcare, or rehabilitation field
- A current, active medical, healthcare, or rehabilitation license
- At least two years of experience as a full-time, paid employee in a medical, healthcare, or rehabilitation field
- Completion of the 120-hour FIG Life Care Planning Certification Class, including the submission of a redacted case study or Life Care Plan for peer review
In addition to the qualifications listed above, Certified Life Care Planners also have to regularly apply for recertification.
Why Hire a Certified Life Care Planner Instead of a Non-Certified Consultant?
Now that you understand how a Life Care Planner becomes certified, what does certification mean for you as an attorney seeking their services? By hiring a Certified Life Care Planner instead of turning to an uncertified consultant or going it alone, you can access the following advantages:
- Get an Assessment, Fast – In personal injury cases, timeliness matters. A Certified Life Care Planner can work accurately and efficiently.
- Medical Expertise – Certified Life Care Planners have proven medical expertise that gives them a leg up when it comes to medical research and consulting.
- Avoid Assessment Challenges – From complex healthcare terminology and documentation to determining likely complications, there are many challenges of Life Care Planning that Certified Life Care Planners are capable of overcoming.
- Thorough Medical Research – Thanks to their healthcare background, Certified Life Care Planners are comfortable conducting medical research.
You might have a lot of options to choose from when it comes to medical cost consultants, but looking for a Certified Life Care Planner can help you narrow down your hunt for the right consultant.
How Can a Certified Life Care Planner Support Your Case?
It’s clear that hiring a Certified Life Care Planner is preferable over hiring someone without proven qualifications, but why might you consider their Life Care Plan or Medical Cost Project (MCP) services in the first place? A Certified Life Care Planner can provide the following benefits for your case:
- Avoid Excessive Settlements – Without a Life Care Plan or MCP report by your side, your client could wind up paying more than a fair settlement.
- Avoid Undervalued Claims – A Life Care Plan or MCP report can ensure that you make a settlement request for full and fair compensation.
- Help Clients Make Informed Decisions – Making legal decisions is difficult, but you can make sure your client has the full picture with a medical cost assessment.
- Make a Strong Case – An accurate assessment of future care costs can strengthen your case on behalf of your client.
- Optimize Your Legal Strategies – Get the information you need to utilize the best legal strategies available for your case.
Get Help from a Capable Certified Life Care Planner at DM Medical Cost Consulting
Becoming a Certified Life Care Planner requires not only an existing medical background but also specialized training and education. These requirements ensure that each Certified Life Care Planner is fully capable of providing accurate and clear Life Care Plans and Medical Cost Projection Reports that can strengthen your plaintiff or defense case.
Here at DM Medical Cost Consulting, we hold ourselves to the highest standard of precision and transparency in our assessments, and we would be proud to provide an airtight report to support your case. Get the support you need to protect your client’s best interests by reaching out to our Texas Certified Life Care Planners today.