Services covered under this chapter shall include rehabilitative services for the physically or cognitively impaired stroke patient, or a patient who has brain injury for whom the medical prognosis and signs indicate potential for faster or more complete recovery, or maintenance or prevention of degeneration, in a variety of situations, including acute inpatient intensive rehabilitation immediately after the occurrence of stroke or injury, inpatient maintenance for the chronically impaired in a hospital or long-term care facility, outpatient services in a rehabilitation clinic or an adult day health care center, and in-home care or home health agency services for the patient at home.

Rehabilitative services for the physically or cognitively impaired patient only for those whom the medical prognosis and signs indicate potential for faster or more complete recovery, or maintenance or prevention of degeneration, shall be considered to fall within the definition of medical necessity, as that term is used in Section 14133.3.

For purposes of this section, “brain injury” means clinically evident brain damage resulting directly or indirectly from tumor, trauma, infection, anoxia, or vascular lesions not primarily due to degenerative or aging processes which result in temporary or permanent physical or cognitive deficits.

This section shall not negate the department’s utilization review authority under subdivision (a) of Section 14133.

(Amended by Stats. 1986, Ch. 258, Sec. 1.)