Life Care Planning is an interdisciplinary specialty performed by trained healthcare and education professionals. According to the International Commission on Health Care Certification (ICHCC), "a Life Care Plan (LCP) is a comprehensive document that chronicles the medical and rehabilitative histories of a person who has chronic health care needs and/or who has experienced some form of trauma that has altered the individual’s functional capabilities regarding activities of daily living and/or the essential functions of work where applicable. The plan identifies the respective diagnosis(es) related directly to the trauma or the chronic health condition as documented in the medical records and the evaluation records, as well as identifies required medical and rehabilitative services, medical supplies, durable medical equipment, medications, support services, the need for barrier free living environmental/home modifications, and the costs incurred for the individual to achieve as close to premorbid functioning and independence as possible. The plan details the costs associated with maintenance of the maximum level of function achieved (independent vs. dependent), and provides a detailed projection of potential complications and their projected associated future costs if applicable. The plan further documents the individual’s premorbid medical history to assess any potential influences of earlier medical needs on the current trauma.” 

Preparation of the Life Care Plan involves extensive and comprehensive assessment of the client’s past and anticipated needs, which is accomplished, in part, by review of existing medical, nursing and therapy records and possible interviews with the medical, nursing and therapy teams involved in care.

The Life Care Planning Advanced Practice Certificate may be used toward the pre-training hours required by the International Commission on Health Care Certification (ICHCC) for the Certified Life Care Planner (CLCP) credential. Information on the CLCP and the qualifications required by ICHCC for the CLCP credential may be found on their website.