Public Policy

Brain Injury Waiver – Missouri does not currently have a Brain Injury Waiver for children or adults with brain injury. When the brain injury happens at age 21 or younger, it is considered a developmental disability and the person may be eligible for Waiver services through the Missouri Department of Mental Health – Developmental Disabilities.

Not having a Brain Injury Waiver creates a huge gap in available services for individuals when traumatic brain injury happens between age 22 and 64 of the person. There is also a gap in services for individuals who sustain an acquired brain injury such as anoxic, aneurysm, stroke or other internal cause of damage to your brain.

Missouri Action on a Brain Injury Waiver

BIA-MO and other advocates have worked on a Missouri Brain Injury Waiver since about 2000. Progress was made. There is currently nearly $725,000 in the Missouri Budget for a Brain Injury Waiver. The Waiver application for this funding is currently being finalized by the Department of Health and Senior Services. When the public comment period of 30 days is open, a link will be provided on this website.

The Brain Injury Waiver would complement the Missouri DHSS Adult Brain Injury Program by providing rehabilitation and support services earlier in the recovery process for individuals who qualify for the Waiver. As of October 2018, there were 60 individuals waiting an average of 240 days for Adult Brain Injury Program Services.

Basically, the Brain Injury Waiver will provide access to services earlier for persons with brain injury.

What is a Brain Injury Waiver?

A “Waiver” is a funding source for service. There are various “waivers” throughout Departments of Missouri State Government. The State of Missouri allocates a specific amount for each Waiver which is then “matched” by Federal Medicaid dollars. The percentage allocated by the State and the percentage matched by Medicaid, differs for each Waiver. When funding is cut by Missouri or the Federal government, there is less money for the specific Waiver and less services for individuals served by the specific Waiver.

Each Waiver has separate eligibility criteria, which is modified often. To find out details about specific Waivers, Contact the coordinating Missouri Department:

Department of Mental Health (DMH) Waivers:

• Comprehensive Waiver

• Missouri Children’s Developmental Disabilities (MOCDD) Waiver

• Support Waiver

• Partnership for Hope Waiver

Division of Developmental Disabilities (DD)
Brain injury is considered a developmental disability when it occurred at age 21 or younger, regadless of the current age of the person.

Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Waivers for Senior Adults:

• Medically Fragile Adult Waiver

• Adult Day Care Waiver

• Aged and Disabled Waiver

• Independent Living Waiver