March 2012
From the desk of Colleen Boyce,
Executive Director

As always, we are so excited about the prospect of Spring, despite the fact that our Winter was a lot milder than usual with limited snow and ice. Please be cognizant of changes in driving conditions and injury prevention as the weather improves!

The HCAI (Health Claims for Auto Insurance) system has regular updates and changes from “HCAI at a Glance” to assist with the process. Email providesupport@hcaiinfo.ca or visit www.hcaiinfo.ca for additional information. FSCO released an invoicing bulletin in November pertaining to new guidelines for filing MVA invoices. If anyone has difficulties or questions pertaining to the new insurance act, getting invoices paid, etc., FSCO has set up an email contactcentre@fsco.gov.on.ca to address them.

The Alliance of Community Medical and Rehabilitation Providers (ACMRP) continues to be extremely active and had the opportunity to sit at the table with FSCO and the Anti-fraud task force. FSCO is moving towards recommending licensing, registration and possible accreditation for all private health clinics inOntario. ACMRP needs more members to assist with financial resources to continue with the public relations, government relations, involvement with FSCO and sourcing sufficient resources to assist with completion of the licensing/regulation process.  Please seriously consider joining ACMRP if you are not already a member; contact the alliance membership coordinator or attend the breakfast seminar presentation: Pat Gaughan pgaughan@bartimaeus.ca. Please visit the website for additional information at www.ontariorehabaliance.com. Colleen is representing theAllianceat PABIN, the Provincial Acquired Brain Injury Network as a non voting member. The network is comprised of representatives from agencies inOntariothat are funded by the MOHLTC and the LHINs to provide community based care to individuals with ABI.

The Brain Injury Society of Toronto (BIST) continues to meet every 4th Monday of the month with many other events happening.  BIST recently received Ontario Trillium Foundation funding for additional services. Please visit their new web site at www.bist.ca call 416 830 1485, or email info@bist.ca for additional information about the exciting programmes & services offered. Keep the dates June 14th and 20th open for the BIAM events!!!  Follow the link below to subscribe to the BIST Blog:

http://torontobraininjuryblog.wordpress.com

The Brain Injury Association of Peel Halton (BIAPH) also has numerous social events. They may be contacted at 905 823 2221, emailed at biaph@biaph.com or you can visit their website at www.biaph.com.

The NRIO Spring Breakfast Seminar Series is starting in March with an exciting group of presenters. On March 16th Nick Gurevich and Justine Hamilton will be providing updates on FSCO and the Anti-Fraud Task Force. On April 27th Anna Greenblatt and Nancy Katsouras will be presenting on innovative therapy tools in treating the neuro arm and hand. On May 24^th at 8:45 a.m. (please take note of time change) by Dr. Rob Van Reekum will present on “Change After Insult to the Brain;” lastly, on  June 16th Jeff Shinehoft and Louise Silverston will be presenting on the role of capacity, the legal and ethical ramifications. Please contact Christine if you would like to register at nrioadm-inter@uniserve.com.

NRIO is thrilled to advise you that Dr. James Porter, Psychologist, has joined our consulting team. Dr. Porter has extensive brain injury experience and a strong background in couples, family, sex therapy, dual diagnosis and cognitive behavioural therapy, across the spectrum from children, adolescents, adults and the elderly. Also, Courtney Samotie has joined the team; she is an Occupational Therapist with over 6 years of MVA experience and has the capacity to take on additional clients. Additionally, NRIO is a sponsor at the upcoming Hamilton Health Sciences conference in May where Dr. Rolf Gainer, CEO, will be speaking on “Expectations and Realities: Lifespan Issues Following Brain Injury.” Please visit our booth!

On behalf of all NRIO clients, staff and the board of directors, I would like to wish you a safe and happy Spring Season!!