What's New? -

June 2010
From the desk of Colleen Boyce, Executive Director

      As the gorgeous summer weather approaches, it is imperative that ongoing prevention initiatives are first and foremost in our minds. We know the warmer weather brings about more incidences of motor vehicle and related injuries. Keep safe!

The HCAI (Health Claims for Auto Insurance) system is in full operation; it provides ongoing updates and tips ranging from the management of providers to initiatives that relieve tedious manual calculations. All OCF forms must be transmitted to participating insurers and, for those not participating, the paper process continues. Email providesupport@hcaiinfo.ca or visit www.hcaiinfo.ca for additional information.

The new insurance act and regulations are effective September, 2010. The Professional Service (fee increase) Guidelines, effective July 2010, are on the FSCO website and correspond to a rate of 0.3% based on the Consumer Price Index for 2009. The Minor Injury Guideline (MIG) is on the FSCO website as well. The Alliance of Community Medical and Rehabilitation Providers (ACMRP) continues to be extremely active. ACMRP is aware of the possibility of a catastrophic determination committee and hopes to be included in this stakeholder group.

HST will be applied on top of listed fees for unregulated providers. The Alliance is working on marketing, tracking the "gappers" (clients that fall between the cracks) and gathering respondents to be surveyed on their website (www.ontariorehaballiance.ca); public education pertaining to "buying up" and developing best business practice standards are a couple of their initiatives. The Alliance continues to require funds to support these initiatives. Please contact me if you would like to become a member of the Alliance.

The AGM is tentatively booked for Tuesday, September 28th, 2010.
The Brain Injury Society of Toronto (BIST) continues to meet every 4th Monday of the month; BIST is involved in many other concurrent events that may be of interest to some of you - Please visit www.bist.ca for details or contact BIST at 416 830 1485; the email address is info@bist.ca.

The AC (Awareness Committee, under the auspices of BIST) hosted a successful luncheon, "Cerebral Circus," related to "June Brain Injury Awareness Month" 2010 on Thursday June 17th at Nathan Philips Square. The "Karen Kain School of the Arts Music Mentors" band, jugglers, stilt walkers, clowns, animators, the Survivor VIP Tent's numerous presenters, and the visual arts exhibit were all present. The weather was superb and it was lots of fun. That evening OBIA and BIST hosted the 6th annual Mix and Mingle at the Rosewater Room, another extremely successful event.

NRIO's Spring Breakfast Seminar Series has come to an end. They were well received with incredible presenters and information. If anyone would like a copy of one of the presentations or more details please contact Christine Romanenchuk at 416 231 4358 ext. 228.

NRIO's Outcome Study for 2009 is now complete. Please contact me if anyone would like a copy of the report.
NRIO's School Resource Coordinator is once again hosting a variety of summer programs including: Keep up - Get Ahead (1 on 1 tutoring for students over the summer months), Summer in the City (a small group experience with a focus on academics, social skills and functional life skills), and Kids on the Go (summer camp the last 2 weeks of August with intense preparation for students returning to school). Please contact Martha Shephard, ext 237, or nrioped@interlog.com for more information.

On behalf of all NRIO clients, staff, and the Board of Directors, I would like to wish you a safe and happy Summer Season!