International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: A Model for Life Care Planners

The method life care planners use to evaluate the impact of a disability or injury is consistent with the theory behind the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). This highly accepted model as been advantageous to educators, clinicians, researchers, and policy makers who specialize in understanding the needs of individuals with chronic health care needs. As challenges to expert testimony continue to develop, life care planners must frequently demonstrate the validity of their approach to establishing future care and associated costs for individuals with disabilities. The purpose of this article is to describe the ICF model and elucidate its implications as a tool for life care planners to validate recommendations depicted in their life care plans.