Red Wing legend’s future in serious jeopardy due to Legislature-created #MiCareCrisis

Vladimir Konstantinov is one of thousands of survivors impacted across the state

BRIGHTON, Mich. – (Sept. 22, 2021) — For 24 years, Vladimir Konstantinov has been quietly recovering from the catastrophic limousine accident that nearly took his life, which occurred just six days after the Detroit Red Wings won their first Stanley Cup in 42 years.

A friend of Konstantinov says his progress has been a “miracle” – but today, his recovery is in serious jeopardy thanks to Michigan’s catastrophic care crisis.

The Sept. 22 edition of the Michigan Brain Injury Provider Council’s #MICareCrisis Impact Dashboard highlights a special report from WXYZ reporter Kim Russell, who was recently welcomed into Konstantinov’s apartment by his care team so they could share their anxiety over the 45% reimbursement cut to catastrophic care passed as part of the 2019 auto insurance reform. 

James Bellanca, Konstantinov’s long-time attorney and friend, minced no words. “I don’t think he is going to survive,” he said. “That’s how strongly I feel.”

Linda Krumm, Konstantinov’s case manager, said the law needs to be changed immediately to protect Konstantinov and survivors like him. 

“What will happen to him?” she asked. “Will he end up in a nursing home? Will he end up warehoused somewhere instead of thriving and living a wonderful life being healthy?”

Konstantinov is one of many affected by the #MICareCrisis. Today’s edition of the dashboard finds that 743 patients have lost vital care since the crisis began on July 1. In addition, at least 1,544 health care jobs have been lost, while at least 45 companies have been rendered unable to care for patients whose providers are reimbursed through their no-fault auto insurance policies.  

“Vladimir Konstantinov is a hero to Michiganders—someone who’s toughness and perseverance is legendary,” said Tom Judd, MBIPC president. “He, along with all catastrophic accident survivors, deserves the right to a full recovery. To deny these individuals the life-sustaining care that was guaranteed to them is the height of cruelty.”  

The dashboard, which was launched on July 29, tracks key metrics stemming from the fallout due to changes in Michigan’s no-fault insurance law, which gutted reimbursement rates for those providing post-acute care to auto accident survivors. The dashboard gives legislators, taxpayers, and the media a clear picture of what gravely injured auto accident survivors and their families are now facing since the 55% cap on reimbursements for ongoing, specialized rehabilitative care went into effect in July. 

Last legislative session, bills were introduced that would have provided the narrow, technical legislative fix needed for a permanent solution to the 55% reimbursement cap. None, however, were allowed hearings in the face of fierce lobbying from the auto insurance industry.  

Judd noted that many of the legislators who refused to consider a long-term fix, like Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, said they needed more data to be persuaded that the fee schedule would have a detrimental effect on Michigan’s 18,000 no-fault accident victims. The #MICareCrisis dashboard captures that data, as well as the heartbreaking personal stories of survivors and their families who are now scrambling as the care they were promised, is ripped away. The dashboard will be updated—and sent to legislators—every Wednesday. 

“Until lawmakers stand with constituents and take action, horrific stories about what this new law is doing to Michigan residents will continue to accumulate,” Judd said. “Only the legislature has the power to undo this catastrophe. What will it take to end the suffering of these deeply vulnerable constituents?”

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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.