The impact of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) on the injury victim as well as their family and friends can be devastating. And we know that many mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI) go untreated and are under reported.
I have written about the signs, symptoms, and impact of both TBI and MTBI previously on Legal Blog.
As with many catastrophic injuries and diseases, injury victims are often unprepared financially for the costs associated with the care they need. Well, the Oregon legislature has made a step in the right direction in order to help these folks. They have passed a bill that requires all health insurance companies in the state of Oregon to provide insurance coverage for medical care to treat traumatic brain injuries (MTBI and TBI).
The basis for this legislation is simple – many insurance companies in Oregon were denying coverage and refusing to treat individuals who had suffered MTBI or TBIs. For instance, often cognitive therapies and vocational rehabilitation is needed after someone suffers a brain injury. Now, in accordance with the new legislation, those treatments will be covered.
The bill is Oregon Senate Bill 381 and will take effect on January 1, 2010.
