Rural residents suffer as #MICareCrisis eliminates already-scarce options

As predicted, home care agencies and rehab centers in the Upper Peninsula and elsewhere are shutting down and discharging patients

BRIGHTON, Mich. – (Sept. 1, 2021) — From the moment the 2019 auto insurance reform bill was passed, legislators were warned of the devastating impact it would have on access to care for catastrophically injured accident victims — especially those in rural areas where specialized care providers are already scarce.

Today’s edition of the Michigan Brain Injury Provider Council’s #MICareCrisis Impact Dashboard, reports that 699 patients have lost needed care since the crisis began on July 1, including many in rural areas throughout the state. In addition, at least 1,529 health care jobs have been lost, while at least 42 companies have been rendered unable to care for patients with auto insurance funding. 

The dashboard, which was launched on July 29, tracks key metrics stemming from the fallout of the Legislature’s failure to protect auto accident victims. 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 specialized rehabilitation care went into effect on July 1.

“Lawmakers had two years to figure out a solution, but ultimately failed to protect survivors,” said MBIPC President Tom Judd. “As predicted, the #MICareCrisis is forcing home care agencies and rehabilitation centers to shut their doors or discharge patients, and news outlets throughout the state are reporting the cold, hard facts.”

ABC 10 U.P. recently interviewed survivor Shannon Perkins, who said some of the necessary care she received as an amputee has been ripped away since the 45% reimbursement cap went into effect this past July.

“Personally myself, I haven’t been able to purchase crutches, which normally would not have been an issue,” Perkins said. “I’ve been talking to (providers) who have told me that they’re not sure if they will be open.”

The #MICareCrisis has left Northern Comfort Specialized Care in Manistique as the only residential facility for brain injury rehabilitation in the Upper Peninsula.

“People that are in the Upper Peninsula have a select few specialized care facilities here,” said Courtney Aversa, a case worker with Northern Comfort, adding that the reimbursement cap has already forced the Eisenhower Center’s Keweenaw facility to close. “That’s lessening the amount of care that can be provided to any resident.”

The station reached out to State Representative Greg Markkanen for a statement on how the #MICareCrisis has affected local survivors like Shannon, but he didn’t respond.

Last legislative session, bills were introduced that would have provided the narrow, technical legislative fix needed for a permanent solution to the 45% reimbursement cap. None, however, were allowed hearings in the face of fierce lobbying from the auto insurance industry. The only action taken was the passing of Senate Bill 28, a bill that offers no solution for most survivors and unnecessarily utilizes $25 million in taxpayer dollars for a problem created by a draconian government-mandated price fix.

Judd noted that many of the legislators who refused to consider a long-term fix said they needed more data to be persuaded. The #MICareCrisis dashboard will capture that data, as well as the heartbreaking personal stories of survivors and their families scrambling as the care they were promised is ripped away. The dashboard will be updated—and sent to legislators—every Wednesday.

“As the days and weeks go on, we are confident that Michigan’s leaders will see that continued inaction in the face of this crisis is inhumane and unacceptable,” Judd said. “The Legislature has the power to end this travesty right now. MBIPC looks forward to being an active partner in the process to find a viable, long-term solution.”  

The dashboard can be viewed at mbipc.org/dashboard.

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.