Brain Injury Advocates Demand Greater Access, Fewer Barriers to Cognitive Rehabilitation.
The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) released a position statement that calls on lawmakers and private sector payers to eliminate barriers to access and delivery of cognitive rehabilitation treatment for patients with acquired brain injures. The current needs of the increasing number of servicemen and women returning from Iraq with blast brain injuries is an immediate opportunity for the provider networks to promote better treatment and advancing rehabilitation. Cognitive Rehabilitation addresses that an overwhelming majority of brain injury survivors have cognitive impairments and that they often have challenges accessing treatment that has been shown to benefit them the most. Cognitive impairments interfere with the brain-injured patient's ability to function effectively in school, work and in their personal relationships. Access to cognitive rehabilitation helps patients regain function in areas that are essential for a return to independence and a reasonable quality of life, but many insurance companies deny coverage claims and public health agencies limit the scope, duration and timing of treatment.
