:: The Headliner

:: Important Notice

We know that brain injury often leads to cognitive challenges that can dramatically alter one’s life. Impaired attention, memory, and organizational skills affect the ability to perform basic tasks of daily living as well as complex job-related tasks. Social engagement is affected as well. All of these changes can lead to lost independence, jobs, and relationships. Cognitive rehabilitation is critical to helping survivors of brain injury learn new skills and compensations to manage cognitive deficits in order to increase independence and maximize quality of life. Speech-language pathologists, for example, provide a range of cognitive rehabilitation services, including evaluation and training in the use of external memory aids, organizational routines, and attention-concentration management strategies.

Unfortunately, private insurers do not routinely fund cognitive rehabilitation, leaving survivors without the financial means to pursue these services. In the past year, the Brain Injury Association of Oregon has supported the formation of a statewide coalition of professionals and agencies serving individuals with brain injury who have been denied coverage for cognitive rehabilitation services by private insurers, particularly Blue Cross-Blue Shield (BCBS) of Oregon, one of the largest insurers in the state. Denials are frequently based on the claim that there is insufficient research evidence to support that cognitive rehabilitation works; however, this claim is unfounded as there is abundant research showing that it does work.

The good news is that there are ways to address this unjust trend in policy. For example, in the state of Montana last year, a survivor who had been denied coverage under Blue Cross Blue Shield, appealed the decision through the external claims review process and won! Encouraged by this precedent, the BIAOR has supported the formation of a statewide coalition of professionals and agencies to learn more about this issue and to provide a resource for survivors who have been denied coverage.

If you or someone you know has been denied coverage for cognitive rehabilitation services, contact the

BIAOR at:

2145 NW Overton St, Portland OR 97210
503.413.7707 800-544-5243

biaor@biaoregon.org

have YOU HAD a brain injury?
Call 1-800-544-5243

Our Annual Brain Injury Conference is Feb 29-March1, 2008

SAVE THE DATE

PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A MEMORY STUDY

INVESTIGATING MEMORY DIFFICULTIES

The Washington State University Department of Psychology is conducting a study on the nature of chronic difficulties that often persist after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study will examine individuals between the ages of 18-45 who have sustained a moderate or severe TBI resulting from a motor vehicle, motorcycle, or bicycle accident, or as the result of a fall from greater than 10 feet. To understand the chronic nature of these problems, the study will examine only those individuals who are more than one year post-injury. As a comparison group, the study will also look at neurologically healthy adults who have no significant history of brain injury, neurological diseases, or psychiatric disorders. Participants will be asked to complete tasks designed to assess various aspects of cognition (e.g., attention and memory). As compensation, participants will receive a brief report on their current cognitive functioning, which can help with understanding which functions remain intact and which continue to present difficulties. Participants will also be entered into a drawing to win a $100.00 prize at the end of the study. Researchers are hoping that examining the nature of persistent memory difficulties will help clinicians in developing more effective rehabilitation and remediation techniques for individuals who have suffered a TBI.

For information on participation, contact Shital Pavawalla, M.S. at spavawalla@wsu.edu or (509) 432-6172. A message for the WSU TBI research program can also be left at (360) 546-9788, ext. 5-4033. This project has been approved by the WSU IRB.

::FINDING YOUR OREGON LEGISLATOR

To find your legislator and easily email them:

1) go to BIAA Legislative Action Center at

http://capwiz.com/bia/home/

2) enter your zip code

3) Just above the photo of Mr. Bush - you can click on the “State” option where (in small print) is says: “Write to your Federal or State elected officials with one click....."

4) Fill out the form and send your views on these issues (be sure to include your name and address

Brain Injury Association of Oregon, Inc. (BIAOR)
2145 NW Overton Street
Portland, OR 97210

Phone:
503.413.7707
Outside the local area:
800.544.5243
Fax:
503.413.6849
e-Mail:
biaor@biaoregon.org

“Bob Woodruff – To Iraq and Back: In an instant” http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2909129

Bob Woodruff’s journey back from a brain injury sustained in Iraq.

"Survive, Thrive and Alive" http://www.dvbic.org/cms.php?p=Education

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury "Survive, Thrive, and Alive!" provides a general overview, prevention tips and organizations that can provide additional resources and information on Traumatic Brain Injury. An online video

:: What Differentiates Us

There are many claims that templates are "FrontPage Compatible". That does not mean they are designed for USE with FrontPage. To say a template is "FrontPage Compatible" is little more than saying a piece of paper is "Printer Compatible". That's a no-brainer.

:: Professional Members & Sponsors

Professional Members

have YOU HAD a brain injury? Call 1-800-544-5243

have YOU HAD a brain injury?
Call 1-800-544-5243