Brain Injury
Because persons with brain injuries often lack both legislative recognition and administrative accountability by a designated state agency, they often do not have access to a specialized system of community services that provides an alternative to institutionalization. Recently, the Center has focused its ADA integration efforts on the unnecessary segregation of persons with brain injuries in nursing facilities and publicly-operated or funded facilities.
Previous News
Acquired Brain Injury Waivers Will Hold Third Open Enrollment May 1-21st, 2012
As part of the Commonwealth’s ongoing implementation of Hutchinson v. Patrick, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission and MassHealth, in collaboration with UMass Medical School, operate two home and community-based services waivers. These waivers help Medicaid-eligible persons with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) transition from nursing and long term rehabilitation facilities and return to integrated community living with a variety of services and supports.
During the first three weeks of May 2012, MassHealth will be accepting applications for both the ABI residential waiver (offering 24/7 residential services) and the ABI Non-Residential waiver (ABI-N). The ABI-N waiver is designed for persons who wish to live in their own home or apartment (or a family home) with supports, or who are interested in shared living or adult foster care. Individuals can apply for both waiver options.
Applicants must have a brain injury, be eligible for Medicaid coverage in the community, and have resided in a nursing home or chronic rehabilitation hospital for more than 90 days. In addition, participants’ Medicaid and waiver-funded service needs (excluding durable medical equipment and other one time expenses) must cost less than $194,186 dollars a year for the residential waiver or $99, 890 dollars a year for non-residential supports.
As part of the eligibility determination process, applicants can include anyone with knowledge about their individual preferences, strengths and service needs, including community-based providers, medical professionals and family members. Participating facility staff can assist by considering what new options for independence and skill development exist for individual waiver recipients in the community, and how their care and treatment might be different from that routinely delivered in an institutional setting.
Waiver applications must be postmarked between May 1st and May 21st in order to be considered.
Additional information about the ABI waivers, including application forms in English and Spanish, can be found in the links below. Completed applications should be sent to the UMass ABI Waiver Unit 333 South Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545. Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the UMass ABI Waiver Unit at 1-866-281-5602 or by e-mailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Regional information sessions for potential applicants and families/guardians will be held in April, 2012. For more information on these sessions, contact the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts (BIAMA) at www.biama.org or (508) 475-0032. BIAMA’s ABI waiver fact sheet is available below.
Potential applicants can also contact the Center for Public Representation at (617) 965-0776 for additional information and support in navigating the waiver process.
ABI Waiver Fact Sheet Non-resident
Application Non-resident Application (Spanish)
Resident Application
Resident Application (Spanish)
November, 2011: Acquired Brain Injury Non-Residential Waiver Will Hold Second Open Enrollment, December 1-23, 2011
As part of its ongoing implementation of Hutchinson v. Patrick, the Commonwealth is making community living opportunities available to institutionalized persons with Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI). The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission and MassHealth, in collaboration with UMass Medical School, operate two home and community-based services waivers to help Medicaid-eligible persons with ABI transition to, and receive services in, the community.
There are currently openings in the ABI Non-Residential waiver. This waiver is designed for persons who can live in their own home or apartment (or a family home) with supports, or are interested in shared living/adult foster care. Applicants must have an acquired brain injury, be eligible for Medicaid coverage in the community, and have resided in a nursing home or a chronic rehabilitation hospital for more than 90 days. In addition, participants’ Medicaid and waiver funded service needs (excluding durable medical equipment) must cost less than $99,890 per year.
As part of the eligibility determination process, applicants can choose to include anyone with knowledge about their individual preferences, strengths and service needs, including community-based providers, medical professionals and family members. Participating facility staff can assist by considering what new options for independence and skill development exist for individual waiver recipients in the community, and how their care and treatment might be different from that routinely delivered in a skilled nursing or rehabilitation setting.
Completed applications should be sent to the UMass ABI Waiver Unit 333 South Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545. Applications must be postmarked between December 1 and December 23, 2011 in order to be considered.
Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the UMass ABI Waiver Unit at 1-866-281-5602, or by e-mailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Additional information about the ABI Non-Residential waiver, including application forms in English and Spanish, can be found in the links below:
Description of the ABI-N waiver
ABI-N waiver application
ABI-N waiver application (Spanish)
September 2011