Universal Institute’s program and services are designed for individuals who are seeking a person-centered, non-traditional therapy approach.  Our goal is to empower our Clients with hope, determination, and courage, to forge ahead in maximizing their ability to perform daily activities in a way that enhances their quality of life.  We have made our admissions process as simple as possible for our Clients, their families, and referral sources.  Let our journey together begin!

Admission Criteria

UIRehab serves individuals who are 18 years of age or older who have been diagnosed with an Acquired Brain Injury (traumatic or non-traumatic), Spinal Cord Injury, or other neurological conditions. Individuals will be considered for admission based upon but not limited to the following criteria:

• Individuals with a primary diagnosis of an acquired brain injury (traumatic or non-traumatic), spinal cord injury, or other neurological conditions.
• Individuals who are interested in managing their challenges by building the skills necessary to participate in the things they want to do – their goals, their activities, their independence.
• Individuals who demonstrate the need for an interdisciplinary therapeutic program which offers physical, occupational, speech, and cognitive therapies, along with structured day activities which assist in the development and retention of living skills in the rehab as well as in the community.
• Individuals with a willingness to participate in their care plan.
• Individuals who are medically stable. That is, individual must not need consistent nursing support. No functioning tracheotomies, feeding tubes/peg tubes, or I.V.’s.
• Individuals who are not harmful to themselves or others. Universal Institute is not a “behavioral facility.” We do, however, recognize that frustration sometimes goes hand-in-hand with brain injury.
• Individuals who are not actively seeking/using drugs and/or alcohol. Individuals who do not require medically managed detoxification services or residential services solely designed for substance use.
• Individuals who possess the ability to make and communicate their own decisions in regards to personal needs, medical care, and financial management. Individuals who have been appointed a Guardian will also be considered for admission.
• Individuals with an adequate source of funding for services as well as housing.

Make a Referral

A referral commonly begins once an individual is enrolled in a Community Health Choices (CHC) waiver program and is ready to move forward in selecting a Home and Community-Based Service Provider.  Referrals are made by service coordination agencies, nursing home transition coordinators, social workers, or by the individual seeking services.  Sometimes a medical professional suggests UIRehab based on the individual’s rehabilitation needs.  Sometimes a family member or an individual themselves, inquire about Universal Institute based on their personal preference of location or reputation of our program.  Either way, it is the individual’s right to request a referral to be placed to the community-based setting of their choice. 

In order for us to provide the quickest and most efficient screening process possible, it will be helpful to have the following information ready to share when you call: 

• Confirmation of (CHC) Home and Community-Based Services Waiver
• Contact information of MCO Service Coordinator who has been assigned to lead individual’s person-centered service planning process
• Diagnosis and presenting concerns necessitating the services
• Health Insurance Information
• Health status and current level of care
• Rehabilitation history

If our initial discussion reveals that the individual might be an appropriate candidate for our program, you will be asked to gather and submit supporting documentation for further review:

• Individual’s service/support Plan(s) such as Person-Centered Needs Assessment
• A copy of current medical insurance card(s)
• Physical exam report (specifying current diagnoses and medication list)
• Progress reports and discharge plans (physical, occupational, speech, and cognitive therapies, as well other therapeutic interventions)
• Discharge summaries (most recent hospitalizations and rehabilitation stays)
• Neurological evaluation (if available)
• Psychiatric evaluation, if individual takes any medication for behavior control or has a mental health diagnosis.

Once received and reviewed by our team, if the individual’s needs indicate a potential to be a good match for our program, we will move forward in scheduling a Pre-Admission Screening.     

We would love to share more about UIRehab’s program and services with you.  If you would like to make a referral or ask a question, please contact our Admissions Department at 610-625-4959 or email.

Pre-Admission Screening

UIRehab’s Pre-Admission Screening is an initial face-to-face meeting with the prospective Client, their supports, and our admissions department.  It is an opportunity for the prospective Client to learn more about our program and services offered.  It is a chance to gage an individual’s willingness and readiness to participate in the next step in their recovery.  Ultimately, the purpose of this meeting is to gather information needed to better understand the prospective Client’s rehabilitation needs and determine eligibility. 

Following the prospective Client’s Pre-Admission Screening, our team will meet to review the Client’s case, and based on the information gathered, we will make a recommendation regarding the most appropriate level of care for treatment. 

If we are able to offer the recommended services at UIRehab, our admissions department will work with the Client’s CHC-MCO Service coordinator to discuss a care plan and determine an appropriate date for admission.  Our admissions department will work with our new Client and their designated representatives to complete and collect all necessary documentation required for admission.  

Funding Solutions

Through its network of providers, Pennsylvania’s Office of Long Term Living (OLTL) administers publicly-funded programs to provide services and supports to financially eligible individuals with assessed ADL and IADL needs.  These programs, called CHC Home and Community-Based Service Waivers, provide supportive medical and non-medical service to qualified individuals with disabilities, in their home or in another community-based setting in order to help them live independently in the community.  To be eligible for a CHC Waiver, you must first be enrolled with CHC.

If you are ALREADY ENROLLED with Community Health Choices (CHC) and would like to apply for a Home and Community-Based Services Waiver, please call Maximus, the PA Independent Enrollment Broker (IEB) and tell them you would like to apply for waiver services. The IEB will assist you throughout the enrollment process for the purpose of determining eligibility.

            Toll Free Helpline – 877-550-4227

            Toll Free TTY Line – 877-824-9346

If you are NOT currently enrolled with Community Health Choices (CHC) and would like to apply, please call the CHC Call Center Line – 844-824-3655