Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

The Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver program is designed to provide intensive services and supports to adults with acquired brain injuries as they work to re-enter community life. Services can only be provided in community settings.

The following fourteen services are funded, including:

• case management
• personal care
• companion services
• respite care
• environmental modifications
• behavior programming
• counseling and training
• structured day program
• specialized medical equipment and supplies
• prevocational services
• supported employment
• occupational therapy
• speech and language services
• community residential services (excluding room and board)

It is expected that upon completing the program, people will be transitioned to other existing community resources.

Note:  For members who would like to choose Consumer Directed Option Services for ABI, visit the DMS CDO page at http://chfs.ky.gov/dms/Consumer+Directed+Option.htm.

To qualify for services, an individual must:

• have an acquired brain injury
• be between the ages of 21 years and 65 years
• meet nursing facility level of care
• be expected to benefit from waiver services
• be financially eligible for Medicaid services

Exclusions of the Acquired Brain Injury Waiver Program.
A condition included in the following list shall not be considered an acquired brain injury requiring specialized rehabilitation:

• A stroke treatable in a nursing facility providing routine rehabilitation services
• A spinal cord injury in which there is no known or obvious injury to the intercranial central nervous system
• Progressive dementia or another mentally impairing condition of a chronic degenerative nature such as senile dementia, organic brain disorder, Alzheimer's Disease, alcoholism or another addiction
• A depression or a psychiatric disorder in which there is no known or obvious central nervous system damage
• A birth defect
• Mental retardation without an etiology to an acquired brain injury
• A condition which causes an individual to pose a level of danger or an aggression which is unable to be managed and treated in a community.

Note:  Special financial eligibility criteria for Medicaid are applied for this program.

You must complete the Map - 26 - ABI Program Application. When funding becomes available, an allocation letter will be sent directing you to choose a case manager. The case manager is responsible for assisting you with the admissions process and the development of a plan of care.

You may obtain a listing of ABI Enrolled Providers in your area or contact the Brain Injury Services Branch at (502) 564-5198.