About BSCIP

Description of Service

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, F.S., to provide eligible persons the opportunity to obtain the necessary rehabilitative services enabling them to be referred to a vocational rehabilitation program or to return to an appropriate level of functioning in their community.

The goals of the Program are as follows:

  • To reintegrate injured individuals into their communities;
  • To ensure access to quality services is delivered in the most effective and efficient manner through a coordinated system of designated quality specialized treatment facilities; and
  • To secure the necessary funding to support the long-term goals of the program.

 

Specific Services Provided

Through its statewide network of case managers, technicians and Children's Medical Services Nurse Care Coordinators, as well as its designated trauma, rehabilitation, and transitional living centers, the program coordinates access to and provision of acute care, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, transitional living services, durable medical equipment, adaptive modifications to homes and vehicles, assistive services and technology, and long-term care services. 

 

Client Eligibility Criteria 

The individual must:

  • Be referred to the BSCIP Central Registry pursuant to s. 381.74, F.S.;
  • Be a legal resident of the state of Florida as defined in 64I-1.001, F.A.C.;
  • Have sustained a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury as defined by s. 381.745, F.S.;
  • Be medically stable as defined by the Program; and
  • 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 5 days of identification or diagnosis.  As required by statute, the Program publishes an annual performance report that is submitted to the Legislature 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 sponsored by the Program.

 

Statutory Authority

Chapters 381 and 413, FS.

Sections 381.739-.795, and 413.46.

The Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program is funded via its legislation through the Brain and Spinal Cord Program Trust Fund from fines levied for speeding, driving or boating under the influence, and surcharges on temporary license plates.  The Program acts as a "payer of last resort," and relies heavily on third party payments and comparable benefits for provision of rehabilitation services.  The Program is provided oversight by the 16 member Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Advisory Council. 

The core components 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
  • Provision of long-term community based supports and services through the Medicaid Home and Community based waiver, federal grants and state contracts.