Every year, thousands of Virginians experience an acquired brain injury from car crashes, falls, stroke, overdose, domestic violence, or other medical events. Emergency care may save a life, but recovery does not end at the hospital.

For many survivors, recovery depends on post-acute cognitive rehabilitation—care that helps rebuild memory, communication, decision-making, emotional regulation, and daily living skills. This care determines whether someone can return to work, remain independent, and stay connected to their community.

Right now, many private insurance plans in Virginia do not reliably cover this
care.

When coverage is denied, survivors face delayed or incomplete recovery, families shoulder overwhelming medical bills just as income is disrupted, and caregivers are
forced to leave the workforce. Too often, people who could have regained independence instead rely on Medicaid, disability benefits, or long-term institutional care—at far greater cost to taxpayers.
 

House Bill 1338 fixes this problem.

HB 1338 would require private insurance plans to cover medically necessary cognitive rehabilitation and related brain injury services, aligning insurance
coverage with modern medical evidence and clinical standards. The bill protects appropriate utilization review while ensuring decisions are made by clinicians with brain injury expertise and includes an expedited appeals process to prevent harmful delays in care.

This is a people-first, fiscally responsible solution that:

• Helps survivors return to work or school
• Keeps people in their homes and communities
• Reduces long-term public costs tied to disability and institutional care
• Take Action TODAY!

Send a message to your Delegate urging them to co-sponsor and support HB 1338. It takes just a few minutes, and your voice can help ensure recovery—not lifelong disability—is within reach for Virginians living with brain injury.