Many experts say the first 18 to 24 months after a brain injury is when most — if any — neurological recovery tends to happen. This timeframe is why many families in New York want to see their loved ones receiving the care they need right away. However, while their No. 1 concern is ongoing therapy, many insurance companies tend to not cover the cognitive rehabilitation that is recommended by doctors.
Cognitive rehabilitation is an approach that includes speech, occupational and physical therapy. With this type of therapy, certain techniques are used in order for the brain to either start repairing itself or have other parts of the brain kick in to take over.
At this point though, there is limited research as to the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation, how many sessions are needed, and whether inpatient is better than outpatient.
Due to this lack of clear research, many insurance companies are quick to deny further treatment. In turn, this can be beyond frustrating for a family who just want to see their loved one have the best fighting chance of recovery.
The fact that many insurers are quick to deny coverage is also troublesome considering the fact sports injuries, car accidents and other accidents lead to 1.7 million traumatic brain injuries a year in the U.S.
This lack of available funding is yet another reason why an attorney should be contacted after an accident in New York leads to a traumatic brain injury. In cases where the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, a lawsuit may lead to a settlement or award, which can mean compensation to toward necessary medical treatments.
Source: startribune.com, “Brain injury patients fight for therapy time and money,” Jeremy Olson, Aug. 19, 2013
