During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the current state of the Brain Injury (BI) waiver program, highlighting significant concerns regarding wait times and service accessibility for participants. The average wait time for therapy services remains between one and two months, with institutional transitions occurring more swiftly due to pre-planned discharge strategies.

The meeting revealed that out of 36 total participants in the program, three had been transitioned off for various reasons. Officials expressed concern about the potential negative impact of delays in treatment, emphasizing the importance of timely intervention for improving participant outcomes. Questions were raised about whether individuals have been on the waiver for excessive periods without receiving services, which could indicate systemic issues in tracking and service delivery.

The Medicaid inspector general clarified that participants must utilize services at least once a month to maintain their waiver eligibility. Currently, 58 individuals were reported as not receiving therapy services, a number that has since decreased to 36 in the latest quarter. Officials acknowledged that the reasons for this lack of service could stem from both accessibility issues and individual choices.

The discussion underscored the need for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the BI waiver program to ensure that participants receive timely and effective care, as well as to prevent individuals from falling through the cracks in the system.