When you hear about Life Care Planning, you often see the abbreviation LCP attached to professionals or services. It stands for “Life Care Planner,” but it also means something more in terms of training and standards.
Is hiring a certified LCP always necessary? Not always. But certification usually means the person has put in extra work to meet field standards.
What Is LCP Certification?
An LCP is certified when they pass a recognized training and examination process, usually involving several years of experience and formal testing. Certification organizations include:
- Certified Life Care Planner (CLCP) from ICHCC
- Certified Nurse Life Care Planner (CNLCP)
- Other region-specific certificates
An **LCP** with proper certification is more likely to produce a comprehensive and accurate **Life Care Plan**.
How Does Certification Affect Results?
Certified Life Care Planners use tested methods for estimating costs, projecting needs, and documenting care. This means better accuracy, and usually more credibility in legal settings.
The Value for Legal Cases
Courts rely on LCP certification to ensure that testimony and Life Care Plan documents are based on accepted standards. Lawyers are more likely to trust certified planners as valid Medical Expert Witnesses.
Can a Non-Certified Planner Work?
Yes. Some non-certified planners are very skilled, especially those with deep healthcare experience. But lack of certification might be used in cross-examination to question their judgment.
Staying Current
Certified LCPs need to complete ongoing education. Medical technology and best practices change, so planners who stop learning are soon left behind.
Comparing Qualifications
Deciding between certified and non-certified planners? Look at:
- Years of planning experience
- Understanding of local resources
- Ability to explain plans in plain language
- Record of reliable **Medical Expert Witness** work
Certification alone does not guarantee a good **Life Care Planner**. Always ask for sample work and check references.
When Is LCP Certification Mandatory?
For some court cases, lawyers or insurers may require a certified LCP. Insurance reviews, government assessments, and complex medical claims tend to give more weight to certification.
Questions to Ask an LCP
If you are choosing a planner, ask these:
- Are you certified? If not, what relevant experience do you have?
- How often do you update your plans?
- How do you price future services?
- Have you been accepted as a **Medical Expert Witness** before?
Certification and Credibility
For families, hiring a certified LCP can give peace of mind. For legal teams, it adds weight in court. Still, results are what really matter in the end.
Finishing Thoughts
LCP certification is a helpful marker but not the only way to judge quality. Look for planners who communicate clearly, know the field, and keep up with updates, certified or not.