Brain Injury Rehabilitation

Community-Based Neurobehavioral Rehabilitation Services (CNRS) is a special kind of brain rehab service. It's given by a team of experts who help with thinking, medical, behavior and emotional problems after a brain injury. They also help you get better at everyday tasks and be more independent.

There are two types of CNRS:

  • Residential CNRS: These services are delivered in small residential care homes managed by a licensed CNRS provider. Participants living in these locations have access to residential CNRS around the clock.
  • Intermittent CNRS: These services are for people living in their own homes and are provided as needed to help the person and their family.

Learn more and download the CNRS Handout. 

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Care & Services

CNRS helps people with brain injuries develop strategies and coping skills to manage the following challenges, depending on their individual assessed needs. These needs could include: 

  • Problems with thinking, memory, solving problems or learning new things
  • Trouble with lasting symptoms from a brain injury like headaches, dizziness, tiredness, nausea, seizures or problems speaking or sleeping
  • Issues with mood swings (changing quickly between happy, sad or angry), getting angry or upset easily, making quick decisions without thinking about what might happen or staying on task
  • Challenges getting along with others or understanding their spoken or nonspoken communication
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Eligibility

You or someone you love may qualify for for CNRS if all the following are true: 

  • You are age 18 or older
  • You are eligible for Medicaid
    • Note: Because CNRS is a community-based service, nursing facility Medicaid financial eligibility requirements do not apply
  • You have a qualifying brain injury diagnosis
  • You have serious behavioral problems that need more help than regular outpatient care can give you, including:
    • If you are currently in a hospital, institution, or jail or if you are homeless
    • If you’re at risk of being in a hospital, institution, or jail or becoming homeless
    • If you have had serious behavioral or mental health issues that needed more help than regular outpatient care could give you more than once in the past, like emergency services or hospital stays
  • You have a detailed assessment of your neurobehavioral health by a licensed specialist conducted in the last 90 days
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Finding a Provider

See the HHS website to search for available service providers, including waiver, Medicaid and mental health providers. 

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Provider Resources

Eligibility Requirements

CNRS Provider Quality Self-Assessment

All CNRS providers must complete and submit the Provider Quality Self-Assessment by the specified annual deadline, regardless of whether they are currently offering CNRS services. The form and all necessary documents should be sent together as one document annually. 

If you have questions about the CNRS Provider Quality Self-Assessment, contact the assigned QIO Specialist. You can also send questions via email to cnrs@hhs.iowa.gov 

Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Specialist

Iowa Medicaid's Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) has a team of professionals dedicated to quality oversight and technical assistance for HCBS and CNRS providers. HCBS Specialists generally serve providers with main office locations based within the Specialist's assigned region. 

  • Some Specialists are dedicated to managing incidents and complaints related to HCBS and CNRS providers or members.
  • One Specialist is dedicated to reviewing applications, providing technical assistance and supporting applicants and new providers.
  • For More Information:
  • Questions can also be submitted electronically to cnrs@hhs.iowa.gov 

HCBS Program Managers

Program oversight is provided by program managers from the Division of Medical Services, Bureau of Long-Term Care. See a list of Program Managers.

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