Abstract:
Clinical observation indicates that extent and timeliness of treatment for TBI is affected by the benefits paid by medical insurance plans. This conclusion will be tested by correlating the amount of treatment and actual benefits paid (from billing records) with measures of long-term recovery. In a pilot study, content analysis of clinical progress notes will seek evidence of the effect of caregivers and advocates in determining the actual benefits received by the survivor. Development of a “payer scale” will be attempted from these data as a way to calibrate the effect of payers on recovery in TBI