ABSTRACT
This is an overview of private-sector economics of rehabilitation in the United States with emphasis on treatment for persons with head injury and brain damage. Areas to be elaborated on include the (a) limited understanding of rehabilitation, (b) incidence of disability, (c) role of private insurance, and (d) economic consequences. Informed individuals recognize the long-term benefits of rehabilitation and realize the need to control escalating costs. With good rehabilitation, there also exists opportunity for abuse, which requires intervention to reduce and eliminate it. There is a growing awareness among providers, payers, and private citizens to work toward improved services for all disabled in a cost-effective manner.
