Hi Gretchen,
Subject: Standardizing Cost Research Methodology Across Life Care Plans and Medical Cost Projections
I want to distinguish between two distinct phases in our work: (1) the clinical identification of future services and products for an evaluee, and (2) the cost research and projection methodology. The qualification standards for creating life care plans versus medical cost projections may be viewed as different (not here to debate that point), regardless, once the required procedures and services have been identified, the costing process should follow consistent standards independent of the work product type.
At the upcoming conference, we will present a costing matrix that establishes practice standards specifically for the "pricing" component of future needs. The matrix provides a comprehensive approach.
For example, when a life care plan requires a primary care office visit, professionals must decide how to research pricing data. Some advocate using only narrative descriptions without procedure codes, while others (myself included) believe we should specify the CPT code along with the service description. The proposed cost matrix outlines several options including the steps for researching price data using CPT codes and demonstrates how this same methodology applies whether the final deliverable is a life care plan or a medical cost projection.
The goal is to create reproducible, defensible cost research standards that enhance the credibility and consistency of our work across all practice settings.
Best - let me know if this helps and would be happy to discuss offline
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Rebecca Busch
CEO
rebecca@mbaaudit.comWestmont, IL United States
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-10-2025 14:42
From: Gretchen Bakkenson
Subject: Medical Cost Projection certification
Karen,
Do you know if the standards of practice for Medical Cost Projections are different than those of the Life Care Plan?
Gretchen Bakkenson
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GretchenBakkenson
Bakkenson & Associates, LLC
LEANDER,TX
Original Message:
Sent: 08-12-2025 15:36
From: Karen Preston
Subject: Medical Cost Projection certification
Ted, it looks like you have not had replies on the LCP forum.
Please refer to the Standards of Practice, especially Performance standards 1, 2, and 3. From your description, she will not meet the standard. The entire SOP can be found on the IARP website. Here is an excerpt:
1. STANDARD: The life care planner has an educational background and professional
preparation suitable for life care planning.
PRACTICE COMPETENCIES:
a. Possesses the appropriate educational requirements in a rehabilitation or health
care field as defined by their professional discipline.
b. Maintains the current professional licensure, provincial registration, or national
board certification that is required to practice their professional rehabilitation or
health care discipline.
c. Demonstrates that the professional discipline provides sufficient education and
training to assure that the life care planner has an understanding of human
anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, psychosocial and family dynamics, the
health care delivery system, the role and function of various health care profes
sionals, and clinical practice guidelines and standards of care. Within their profes
sion's scope of practice, the education and training allow practitioners in the dis
cipline to independently perform assessments, analyze and interpret data, make
judgments and decisions on goals and interventions, and evaluate responses and
outcomes.
d. Participates in specific continuing education as required to maintain the individ
ual practitioner's licensure, registration, or certification within their profession.
e. Obtains continuing education and/or training to remain current in the knowledge
and skills relevant to life care planning.
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Karen Preston
Consultant
kpreston@rns-hcc.com
Sacramento, CA United States
Original Message:
Sent: 07-28-2025 10:59
From: Ted Deshotels
Subject: Medical Cost Projection certification
Good morning List Serv - I have an employee with a non medical undergraduate degree who is deemed ineligible by ICHCC to enroll into the CLCP certification program. Looking MCP as an option for her, what are your opinions on the practicality of obtaining the Med Cost Projection cert. in our life care planning practice? Has anyone incorporated this certification in their own practice and if so I would like to hear your recommendations on it.
Thank you in advance,
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Ted Deshotels
LRC, CRC, CLCP
tpdeshotels@gmail.com
Lafayette, LA United States
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