A car accident is one of our worst nightmares. So many things can happen in the blink of an eye, and before you know it, you’ve been in an accident when you least expected it. Sustaining injuries, as a result, can make things seem almost unbearable. The pain that can persist even after your doctor has done all they can do to help can be frustrating as well. For many, chiropractic care is often a resource that is turned to for relief from pain and discomfort.
Have you ever wondered if the ongoing chiropractic care you need and desire will be covered by insurance or a car accident settlement? Let’s look further into getting your chiropractic visits covered and the things you need to do on your end to make it happen.
What Kinds of Conditions Can Chiropractic Care Relieve?
The aftermath of car accidents often includes neck and back pain, including whiplash injuries when the head is forced forward or backward quickly. Even though these are common injuries, there isn’t always a clear way to treat them. Chiropractic care can assist with soft tissue problems that tend to appear a few days after the initial injuries and accident. A chiropractor can also help improve spinal alignment, strengthen muscles, and help address pain.
Should The 3rd Party Insurance cover my Chiropractic Care?
Obtaining long-lasting results from your chiropractic treatments requires several visits, which means costs for this kind of care can add up quickly. If you hesitate to receive the chiropractic treatments you need to heal properly and reduce pain, it may be time to talk with an attorney. The lawyers at Wormington & Bollinger know your options and understand what it takes to go after the compensation you need to pay for the medical treatments your body requires to repair correctly.
Receiving medical treatment, including chiropractic care, needs to be sought after as soon as possible after your car accident. Not only could your condition deteriorate as time goes on, but it also looks as though your injuries were not bad enough to receive treatment from the opposing party if you don’t seek care quickly. Even if you don’t feel like you sustained injuries that are bad enough to get checked out, it’s an essential part of avoiding possible underlying injuries and recovering medical expenses later on.
As you may know, chiropractic treatment is not always viewed as “necessary” by other physicians or insurance companies. This can make it a little tougher to receive coverage for this type of care. There are, however, a few things you can do to improve your chances. They include:
- Having your physician give you a referral for a chiropractor to aid in your injury recovery
- Making sure your chiropractor is noting and documenting your treatment, and the improvements his/her treatment has been making with your condition. This can include all diagnostic tests, etc., that have been done and should be compensated for.
- Attending all your scheduled chiropractic appointments so that it’s obvious that this treatment is important to you and truly helps you recover
What about My Medical Insurance?
If you’re wondering where your medical insurance comes into play with chiropractic care, the good news is that most do include this type of coverage. However, it’s important to check what your coverage includes before treatment, as there are many levels of coverage out there. Your medical insurance can cover these costs and then seek reimbursement if a settlement is made in the future.
What about Coverage Through My Auto Insurance?
You need chiropractic care here and now, not just beginning when you receive a settlement. So, what can help you in the meantime? Is there a way for your personal auto insurance to cover costs while waiting for a settlement offer? The short answer is yes!
If you have personal injury protection (PIP) you can tap into it now. This type of coverage encompasses medical care, including chiropractic care. Your PIP pays typically up to 80 percent of this care with a certain limit. The great news is that it does not matter who was at fault for the crash either, which is why you can receive money for your medical care before the fault is decided in court. Note that only reasonable and necessary expenses are reimbursed and nothing more.
Can I File a Claim Against the Other Party to Include My Chiropractic Care?
You can file a lawsuit against the at-fault party that caused your car accident. If successful, you can receive compensation money that will pay for your medical expenses (including chiropractic care), other damages, lost wages from missed work, and pain and suffering. Keep in mind that ongoing medical care is factored into your settlement during a lawsuit.
The catch is, it’s not an easy process, and you don’t want to navigate it alone. The team at Wormington & Bollinger knows how to direct your claim and what needs to be done for you to receive compensation for the healing treatments that can take place through chiropractic care. Although many insurance companies like to undervalue chiropractic care, making it more complicated to receive reimbursement, our experienced attorneys will advocate for you.
Answers to All Your Questions
The decisions you make following a car accident are crucial and may determine the treatment you will be able to pay for, potentially affecting the rest of your life. Communicating with insurance company disputes, interviewing witnesses, gathering video footage and other information to build your case is what we do successfully.
When you need answers to the many questions you have swirling in your mind after an auto accident, the attorneys at Wormington & Bollinger have your back. We offer a free upfront consultation where you can discuss your case with a legal professional and receive answers to all your questions, including those about chiropractic care. To find out how we can help you after your recent auto accident, contact us today.