BOSTON (SHNS) – Rep. Kimberly Ferguson has been pushing to require health insurance companies to cover cognitive rehabilitation therapy for treatment of an acquired brain injury for at least a decade. Testifying on the issue before the Financial Services Committee on Tuesday, she tried a new approach: peer pressure.
“One last thing I’ll leave you with: The state of Arkansas, in March, just passed a comprehensive [cognitive rehabilitation therapy] bill. And if Arkansas can do it, I’m absolutely positive Massachusetts will be doing it soon,” the Holden Republican said, drawing chuckles from the committee and attendees.
The legislation Ferguson pitched (H 1151 / S 742) would extend Group Insurance Commission and commercial health insurance coverage for cognitive rehabilitation therapy to people with an acquired brain injury, which Ferguson said could range from a severe concussion to a traumatic brain injury sustained in a car crash…