About BSCIP

The Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program (BSCIP) administers a statewide coordinated system of care to serve persons who have sustained moderate-to-severe traumatic brain and/or spinal cord injuries. The program is mandated by Chapter 381, Florida Statutes, to provide eligible individuals an opportunity to obtain the necessary rehabilitative services by enabling them to be referred to a vocational rehabilitation program or return to an appropriate level of functioning in their community.

Goals of the Program

  • Reintegrate injured individuals into their communities.
  • Ensure access to quality services, delivered in the most effective and efficient manner through a coordinated system of designated specialized treatment facilities.
  • Secure funding to support the long-term goals of the program.

For additional information, visit the program’s website at BSCIP.org.

Specific Services Provided

The Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program provides case management and care coordination as its primary service. Based on the availability of funds, additional services may include: acute care, comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services, psychological evaluations, diagnostics, medications/medical supplies, assistive technologies, home modifications, and long-term supports for survivors and families through numerous contractual agreements with community-based agencies.

These services are facilitated by employing a statewide system of case managers and rehabilitation technicians, as well as maintaining the BSCIP Resource Center.

Program Eligibility Criteria

To participate in the program, the individual must:

  • Be referred to the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program's' Central Registry, pursuant to section 381.74, F.S.
  • Be a legal resident of the state of Florida, as defined in 64I-1.001, Florida Administrative Code.
  • Have sustained a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, as defined by section 381.745, F.S.
  • Be medically stable as defined by the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program.
  • Be reasonably able to achieve reintegration into the community through services provided by the program.

Impact

The Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program is the only publicly-funded program devoted entirely to the rehabilitation, prevention, and research of traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. All licensed hospitals and health care professionals in the state are required to report each incidence of moderate-to-severe traumatic brain and spinal cord injury to the Program’s Central Registry within five days of identification or diagnosis.

As required by statute, the program publishes an annual performance report that is submitted to the Legislature on March 1 of each year. The annual report includes data collected through the central registry, such as: incidence, etiology, referral, acceptance, and closure data; as well as revenue and expenditure data, and reports on prevention and contractual efforts.

Statutory Authority

Chapters 381 and 413

Sections 381.739-.795, and section 413.46, F.S.

The Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program is funded by the Brain and Spinal Cord Program Trust Fund from fines levied for speeding, driving, or boating under the influence, in addition to surcharges on temporary license plates. The program acts as a “payer of last resort”, and relies on third party payments and comparable benefits for provision of rehabilitation services. Program oversight is supported by a 16 member Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Advisory Council.

Core componets of Florida's legislation include:

  • The referral of individuals who have moderate-to-severe brain and/or spinal cord injuries to a central registry.
  • Establishment of a trust fund to ensure provision of a coordinated system of care for eligible individuals.
  • Provision of a coordinated system of care for eligible individuals through case management services and its system of designated facilities.
  • Provision of appropriate prevention activities.
  • Provision of funds for brain injury and spinal cord injury research.
  • Establishment of an advisory council to provide advice and expertise to the program.