MBIPC Applauds Rep. Rogers for Introduction of Bill to Make Utilization Review Process More Fair, Equitable, and Consistent
Judd: Bill is a necessary step, but more must be done to end the catastrophic care crisis
BRIGHTON, Mich.—(June 29, 2022)—Tom Judd, executive director of the Michigan Brain Injury Provider Council (MBIPC), today released the following statement in response to the introduction of HB 4884, which would make Michigan’s utilization review process more fair, equitable and consistent.
“Car crash victims will continue to struggle to find the necessary rehabilitation and care without a legislative solution to the draconian fee cap system. 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.
MBIPC applauds the efforts of Representative Rogers and the 56 bipartisan co-sponsors of HB 4884 and supports efforts to advance the bill into law quickly. Understanding that although this bill does not provide the solutions that will end the crisis in care, HB 4884 ensures the utilization review process is fair, equitable, reasonable, and consistent with the auto no-fault law.
Since the implementation of the Michigan auto no-fault law, insurers 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. This law will ensure that insurers utilize evidence-based practices and models established by medical professionals rather than for-profit entities paid for by insurance companies to cut off essential services.
The legislature should take urgent action to pass HB 4884 to ensure that people with brain injuries have access to early and equitable rehabilitation and long-term care. However, our elected officials must also understand that urgency is needed to pass a reasonable solution to the fee cap system to truly end the unnecessary turmoil and suffering of the crisis in care. Passing HB 4884 is a necessary step in the right direction, but the job of this legislature is not done until the Michigan Crisis in Care has been fixed.”
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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 https://www.mbipc.org, and connect with MBIPC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.