After Year of Inaction, MBIPC Calls for Hearing on Utilization Review Legislation
Judd: ‘Car crash survivors deserve a fair chance at the rehabilitation and care they need for positive healthy outcomes’
BRIGHTON, Mich.—(June 27, 2024)—The Michigan Brain Injury Provider Council (MBIPC) this week is marking the one-year anniversary of the introduction of important legislation aimed at ensuring the care received by car crash victims is appropriately evaluated by their insurance company.
HB 4884 was introduced by State Rep. Julie Rogers on June 28, 2023. Despite an overwhelming 56 bi-partisan co-sponsors it has languished in the House Insurance and Financial Services Committee.
“Car crash victims will continue to struggle to find the necessary rehabilitation and care without a legislative solution to the draconian fee cap system,” said MBIPC President Tom Judd. “However, there is also real urgency for enhancements to the utilization review process to ensure people injured in a car crash have a fair opportunity to access reasonably necessary products, services and accommodations for their care, recovery, and rehabilitation.”
Since the implementation of the Michigan auto no-fault law, insurers and the Department of Insurance and Financial Services have utilized inappropriate standards to prematurely cut off vital rehabilitation services and long-term care that are required to maintain catastrophically injured patients from regression and deterioration of health conditions. HB 4884 ensures that insurers utilize evidence-based practices and models established by medical professionals rather than for-profit entities paid to cut off essential services.
“MBIPC urges Representative Brenda Carter, Chair of the Insurance and Financial Services Committee, to hold hearings on this important piece of legislation,” Judd said. “Car crash survivors deserve a fair chance at the rehabilitation and care they need for positive healthy outcomes. It is well past due for the legislature to pass this necessary law.”
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Members of the Michigan Brain Injury Provider Council are committed to providing high quality, ethical rehabilitation services, with the mission of achieving the best outcomes for patients. As a trade association established in 1987 and based in Brighton, Michigan, MBIPC offers resource-sharing, information exchange, professional development and education, advocacy for brain injury standards of care and legislation protecting Michigan families, and the promotion of ethical conduct. For more information, go to mbipc.org, and connect with MBIPC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.