Last week, Shana De Caro and I had the pleasure of attending the inaugural Luminary of the Year tribute sponsored by the Brain Injury Association of America, honoring its founder, Marilyn Price Spivak.

Marilyn’s vision in 1981 of establishing what was then known as the National Head Injury Foundation has been the guiding light for the mission of the Brain Injury Association in providing help, hope and healing to the millions of Americans living with a brain injury and just as important, to their families.

I have had the honor and privilege of knowing Marilyn for many years and working with her to improve the lives of brain injury survivors.

Founded in her kitchen by a group of parents who desired a better future for their children suffering from the tragic consequences of catastrophic brain damage, Marilyn’s leadership and relentless commitment to the mission of the association has helped to create the nation’s oldest, largest, and most influential brain injury advocacy organization.

As the voice of brain injury, the association under its capable leadership endeavors to improve the quality of life of all people afflicted by a brain injury across their lifespan through advancing prevention, awareness, research, treatment, education, and advocacy.

Shana De Caro, as past chairwoman of the Brain Injury Association of America, and myself as past president of the Brain Injury Association of New York State congratulates, Marilyn, on this well-deserved tribute and extend our thanks and gratitude for her tireless work to illuminate, inspire, and shape the work of the Brain Injury Association of America.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2euAJBoVX8

Brain Injury Insider is a weekly podcast by The Brain Injury Law Firm ®, De Caro & Kaplen, LLP.

Host Michael Kaplen is a passionate advocate of the rights of brain injury survivors, and has been fighting on their behalf for over 40 years.

De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
228 E. 45th Street, Suite 1100, New York, NY 10017
Toll Free: (866) 272-4652
e: help@brainlaw.com
brainlaw.com

In a victory for the brain injury community, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recognized traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a chronic health condition.

CMS has added TBI to its list of chronic conditions for chronic special needs through its Medicare Advantage program effective for the January 2025 plan year This significant addition was made though the advocacy efforts of The Brain Injury Association of America who will continue to fight to expand coverage for all types of brain injury with the ultimate goal of greater coverage across all forms of public and private insurance.

This is an important first step in advocacy efforts to expand coverage for brain injury beyond acute care and helps to make the case that brain injury should be treated by healthcare providers as a chronic condition like heart disease or diabetes.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/QVvZ3YuG4NQ

Find out more about brain injury at https://brainlaw.com/tbi-facts/

Brain Injury Insider is a weekly podcast by The Brain Injury Law Firm ®, De Caro & Kaplen, LLP.

Host Michael Kaplen is a passionate advocate of the rights of brain injury survivors, and has been fighting on their behalf for over 40 years.

De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
228 E. 45th Street, Suite 1100, New York, NY 10017
Toll Free: (866) 272-4652
e: help@brainlaw.com
brainlaw.com

Despite what long term disability insurance carriers may respond to claims made by brain injury survivors for long term disability benefits, not everyone gets better after sustaining a traumatic brain injury.

Recent long term medical studies have concluded that the cognitive, physical, and emotional consequences of a traumatic brain injury, including a concussion can result in long term impairments.

These studies establish contrary to past opinions, most symptoms of concussion are not resolved within 3 months post-injury.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/YAghfh3P9u8

Legal assistance and representation for brain injury survivors: https://brainlaw.com/brain-injuries/

Brain Injury Insider is a weekly podcast by The Brain Injury Law Firm ®, De Caro & Kaplen, LLP.

Host Michael Kaplen is a passionate advocate of the rights of brain injury survivors, and has been fighting on their behalf for over 40 years.

De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
228 E. 45th Street, Suite 1100, New York, NY 10017
Toll Free: (866) 272-4652
e: help@brainlaw.com
brainlaw.com