Litigation

Pre-season baseline neuropsychological testing of all players must be become mandatory

By Michael Kaplen

Concussions pose a great danger to our nation's youth and all students must have baseline neuropsychological testing at the beginning of the season in order to have a gauge to use to determine when a player who has sustained a concussion can return to play.  After the concussion or suspected concussion takes place, the player needs to be retested and the results must be compared with the pre-season testing.

While many teams and school districts are now performing these tests, unfortunately, not all districts and teams have the funds to do so.  This testing must be made mandatory across the nation by either laws in each state or by federal law.  In order to pay for these tests, there must be mandatory insurance coverage included in all health insurance policies as well as mandatory coverage for the care that is required if the testing shows the need for cognitive rehabilitation.

Yesterday, CBS News, New York's reporter Mark Morgan did a story on this testing which included comments by myself. You can view the on line story by clicking here. 

Full post as published by Brain Injury News and Information on August 19, 2010 (boomark / email).