One of the main reasons people delay visiting a chiropractor after a car accident is fear of treatment not being covered by their auto insurance. However, this fear should not stop you from seeking treatment. You are legally entitled to use the personal injury benefit without penalty from the insurance company – whether or not you are at fault for the accident.
When you file a claim and seek chiropractic care through an automobile insurance company, keep the following considerations in mind:
Make sure you file a personal injury medical claim with auto insurance in addition to an accident claim
For those filing a claim, this can be confusing. Opening an auto accident claim only deals with and covers damage to the involved vehicles. For benefits and coverage for injuries, you’ll need to open a personal injury claim with the insurance agency. To take advantage of these benefits, complete a personal injury protection (PIP) form through the insurance company. Most insurance companies have these forms available online. You can also find the personal injury protection forms at Oregon Department of Transportation service centers. If you have questions on the filing, you can contact our staff who are educated on how to help.
PIP provides protection from costly medical expenses, fees, and lost wages. Sometimes referred to as “no-fault” coverage because – no matter who was at fault for the accident -you are entitled to use your insurance to cover any necessary treatment or expenses. In Oregon, the personal injury benefit is a minimum of 15,000 per incident, but you could have an increased benefit depending on your auto policy.
Filing a personal injury claim cannot raise your premium
If you file a PIP claim, your premiums will not increase so you shouldn’t be concerned about filing a claim for necessary medical care. Oregon’s statutes of limitations are fairly strict, and you must file your claim within two years. However, if you don’t use your benefit within the first couple of months from the accident, your insurance company is more likely to question if your injury is accident-related. To take full advantage of your benefits, you should file a claim as soon as possible if you’re injured in a motor vehicle accident.
Understand your insurance company’s payment structure.
How insurance pays for treatment depends on the individual company. Some pay as your receive treatment for your injuries, while others will wait until your treatment is completed and you are officially discharged from medical care. When you are discharged, it means you have attained your pre-accident status or reached maximum medical improvement, meaning your condition has been improved to the best of our ability. Our goal is to get you back to your pre-accident condition; however, results can vary based on the severity of the injury and previous health conditions.
Contact your insurance company with questions.
Your insurance agent or claim representative is there to help you understand your benefits and answer any questions you may have. However, if you have additional questions about how your chiropractic treatment will be covered, our billing specialists are available to help. While they may have limited information about your individual policy, they can help you understand common insurance practices.
If you or a loved one are injured in a car accident, don’t wait to seek medical care from a chiropractor. Contact Accident Care Chiropractic immediately to schedule an appointment. Receive comprehensive care for your motor vehicle injuries and be back on your feet and pain-free before you know it. For more information, visit our website to find a location near you!
