A traumatic brain injury (“TBI”) can not only be devastating to a patient, the injury can also be crippling to a family, especially if the injury is to the “bread winner.” According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), the total combined rates for TBI related emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and deaths were at a rate of 823.7 per 100,000. In addition, the CDC reports that, “In 2010 2.5 million TBIs occurred either as an isolated injury or along with other injuries.” The basic medical definition of a TBI is blow or bump to the head which prevents the brain from functioning is a normal fashion.

 

Based on a recent US analysis, individuals who have suffered a TBI are more likely to lose their insurance, even though it is at this time they need their insurance the most. Delving deeper into the issue revealed that the more serious the injury the quicker insurance coverage was dropped or changed.

 

One reason suggested for the loss of insurance for the primary policy holder was due to the fact this person more than likely could not work anymore, thus resulting in the loss of coverage. Because a TBI is more often a serious injury, many individuals who suffer from this medical condition are left with lasting disabilities.

 

The basis of the TBI analysis looked at data from 2010 through 2012. The focus was on more than 13 thousand people under 65 treated for TBI compared to those who were not treated for TBI over the same timeframe. 30.7 percent of those with TBI had changes in their coverage as compared to 27.6 percent of those individuals who did not have TBI. In addition, if a person suffered a TBI a change in their coverage occurred just under 5 months whereas individuals without TBI had a change in coverage in around 8 months.

 

To read more about the study conducted and the article in support of this post click HERE.

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Marcus Boston is a Maryland medical malpractice attorney who helps people navigate the Maryland childbirth injury and medical malpractice process to get money for their injuries caused by the carelessness of doctors and hospitals.