Whenever a person is involved in an accident, they worry about the immediate financial and medical issues they will experience. They have to budget out their money due to lost wages and being unable to work. Yet most people still expect that after they physically recover, they will return to their normal lifestyles.
However, some serious injuries can become chronic or debilitating, as the person can have temporary or permanent disabilities that require continued care. Lifecare planners help people plan out their changing lifestyles so they receive the medical, mental and financial assistance they need on a more long-term basis.
Who Are Life Care Planners?
A life care planner is a certified professional who provides a specialized subset of case management work. They may be registered nurses, social health workers or mental health counselors depending on the type of treatment that the patient requires. Unlike typical case management services that could last for a few days or weeks, a life care planner will create a medical plan for the patient that could last for months or years.
The life care plan that the professional creates will focus on the needs of the patient and their lifestyle. It takes into account the patient’s current medical diagnosis and the types of care that is required. It will help the patient and family figure out how to obtain care, such as through rehabilitation services, mental health programs, medical device equipment, and other treatments. The life care planner will work with doctors, review medical charts and speak with family members to discuss all types of treatment that the patient should receive. They may also research about alternative or experimental treatments that might help the patient recover.
Certain life care planners may work with a specific patient. They may help geriatric patients, people with permanent physical disabilities, people who require rehabilitation services, or patients with mental health issues. Many life care planners can be found working in healthcare organizations, hospices and nursing homes. Health insurance companies, HMOs, government agencies and law offices may also have life care planning services.
Addition Role of a Life Care Planner
In addition, the life care plan also provides details on how the patient will pay for medical care. The life care planner will often speak with health insurance companies, as well as government agencies, so patients get the care and funding they require. The life care planner will advocate for the needs of their patients during times when insurance companies and agencies refuse to help with the financial aspects of their patient’s care.
A life care planner needs to have superior communication, research and decision-making skills. They should be focused on giving care and support to not only the patient but also the family members. They should also be able to adjust the life care plan to better reflect the patient’s health care changes if their medical needs worsen.
Life Care Planners Work with Law Firms
A life care planner may also work with law firms on behalf of patients who are seeking financial compensation. A patient may end up filing a lawsuit against a liable individual, company or organization that caused their accident and injuries, or who may refuse to provide the patient with financial assistance, crisis treatments, or medical equipment.
The life care planner may provide information regarding the patient’s current medical condition and the types of care and treatment they will need over a specified amount of time. This information can help law firms figure out the amount that the patient requires in compensation to cover all of their ongoing and future medical expenses as well as what compensation is needed for other financial obligations.
Life Care Planners Help Patients Gain Control of Their Lifestyles
Becoming injured with a serious medical condition can leave people scared about how they will receive their ongoing and future medical care. They may also worry about how they will pay for this treatment.
A life care planner can bring a patient and their family peace of mind that someone is advocating patient’s needs on their behalf to ensure that all medical care is received without financially impacting the person’s lifestyle.
The life care plan provides greater transparency regarding the person’s medical condition and required treatment. It also provides a great feeling of comfort that the life care planner will continually monitor the person’s condition and modify the life care plan so they have uninterrupted care if their medical condition worsens.
If you have been in an accident and obtained injuries in Hawaii, having an experienced attorney review your case can help to determine the types of compensation that would be necessary for your present and future medical needs. Contact the Davis Levin Livingston law firm in Honolulu today for a free consultation so that we can protect your rights.