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THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION DEFINES PATIENT AID POLICIES (as of May 11, 1959)

Though The National Foundation has not changed its concept on serving the patient with a disability, it has been necessary for the organization to make certain policy changes to utilize available resources where they can be of most service to all persons covered under its expanded program.

The policy changes emphasize patient care in the early phases of disease. The objective is recovery with minimum disability and maximum independence.

The new patient aid policies for the three types of disability, poliomyelitis, congenital malformations and rheumatoid arthritis are described in the following outlines:

POLIOMYELITIS

Eligibility For Chapter Patient Aid

1. All patients with a confirmed diagnosis of paralytic polio are eligible for a period up to two years following the date of disease onset.

2. Priority patients are eligible beyond two years of disease onset provided the patient's physician certifies that further treatment will significantly reduce disability, prevent further disability, or make the patient more independent.

Priority Patients

A. All patients with paralytic polio who are under 19 years of age.

B. All other patients (regardless of age) with quadriplegia, respiratory paralysia or significant respiratory weakness, bilateral upper extremity paralysis, severe trunk or neck paralysis, paraplegia with marked abdominal and trunk paralysis or weakness.

Permissible Chapter Expenditures

1. Hospitalization but not to extend insurance coverage:

A. Up to 30 days in an accredited hospital for care of paralytic polio, during the acute stage of illness. Unused days may be used within a 12 month period to complete initial treatment.

B. Up to 30 days in any 12 month period (in addition to above 30 days) for the management of residual paralysis (including surgical procedures) provided disability can be reduced or prevented, and facilities are adequate for this purpose. Adequacy of treatment facilities to be determined by chapter medical advisory committees with criteria provided by the Department of Medical Care.

C. Up to 120 days in any 12 month period for priority patients in special treatment centers designated by chapter medical advisory committee on recommendations of the Department of Medical Care, provided the disability can be reduced or prevented and the patient made more independent.

2. Special Duty Nursing. When necessary, available for critically ill patients for a period not exceeding 14 days.

3. Outpatient Services of Accredited Hospitals. Payment in accordance with institutional policy and under conditions outlined in "Eligibility Section."

4. Home Attendant Service or Nursing Home Care. When necessary, available up to but no more than $200 per month for a maximum of two years after date of disease onset. (See statement on next page )

5. Physical Therapy. May be allowed through community agencies when prescribed by a physician for supervision of a home care program and under conditions outlined in "Eligibility Section."

6. Braces, Appliances and Non-respiratory Equipment. Covered when prescribed by a physician. Replacement of braces which have been outgrown will be considered as a new prescription.

Respiratory Equipment Loan. The National Foundation Headquarters will continue to loan respiratory equipment.

Prohibited Chapter Expenditures

1. Medical and surgical fees.

2. Payment to a hospital in which the patient is entitled to free care.

3. Replacement and repair of damaged and worn braces, appliances and non-respiratory equipment.

4. Expenditures for paralytic polio patients beyond two years after onset of disease except for priority patients.

5. Payments for non-paralytic polio patients.

6. Payments for patients not having a confirmed diagnosis of poliomyelitis.

7. Grants to individuals, agencies or institutions, for personnel, equipment or services.

Consult your Chapter and show them this official statement from National Foundation Headquarters. If there is any dire difficulty between you and your Chapter in understanding each other, Dr. William S. Clark, Medical Care Director, The National Foundation, 800 Second Avenue, New York, 17, NY. has asked that you write directly to him.