If you've been injured in a car accident, physical therapy may be necessary to help you recover. However, the costs for physical therapy treatments can quickly add up, leaving you with expensive medical bills. When another driver's negligence caused the accident, you shouldn't have to pay for the physical therapy yourself. Understanding who is responsible for covering the costs of your physical therapy after a car accident is important. As the victim of someone else's careless actions, you have the right to pursue compensation for the expenses related to your injuries. Talk with a Texas Car Accident Lawyer to get started.
Understanding Car Insurance Coverage for Physical Therapy
If you have been in a car accident, it's important to understand how physical therapy treatment may be covered. Most standard auto insurance policies provide coverage for reasonable and necessary medical expenses resulting from a car accident, including physical therapy. However, there are a few factors to keep in mind:
- Your auto insurance policy limits: The maximum amount your auto insurance carrier will pay for medical expenses, including physical therapy, is limited to your policy's limits. If your bills exceed this amount, you may have to pay out-of-pocket or use your health insurance.
- Determining "reasonable and necessary" treatment: Auto insurance will only cover physical therapy that is deemed medically necessary to treat injuries from the accident. Your insurance company will review treatment plans from your doctor to determine how many sessions and what type of therapy is appropriate based on your condition.
- Using your health insurance: You can choose to bill your health insurance provider for physical therapy instead of or in addition to your auto insurance. However, your auto insurance may still limit how much they will reimburse your health insurance. It is best to check with both insurance providers to understand your coverage and out-of-pocket costs.
- Negotiating with the insurance company: If your auto insurance denies or limits physical therapy coverage, you have the right to appeal. Your doctor can provide additional documentation about the necessity and appropriateness of recommended treatment. You may also want to consult with a personal injury attorney regarding your legal options.
With the proper documentation and by understanding your coverage, you can get the physical therapy you need after an auto accident. Discussing your options with insurance providers and medical professionals is key to navigating this process.
What if I Don't Have Health Insurance?
If you were injured in a car accident and do not have health insurance, you still have options for receiving physical therapy. Many personal injury law firms work with physicians and physical therapists that provide medical services on a lien basis. This means the medical provider will defer payment for services until your car accident claim has been settled. The at-fault driver's auto insurance company is still responsible for paying for your medical bills, including physical therapy.
Some physical therapy clinics offer affordable self-pay rates or payment plans for uninsured patients. They understand that lack of insurance should not prevent someone from receiving medically necessary care. You may be able to negotiate a reduced rate, especially if paying out of pocket. Some clinics provide free or low-cost initial evaluations so you know how much therapy you need and can budget accordingly.
There are also charity organizations and non-profits in many communities that can help fund physical therapy for those unable to pay the full cost. To find resources in your area, check with local places of worship, healthcare foundations and community health centers. Some crowd-funding websites allow you to create a campaign to raise money for medical expenses. With a compelling story, friends and families may donate to help cover the cost of your physical therapy.
If cost is a concern, be upfront with your physical therapist. Explain your situation and ask if they offer any discounts, payment plans or know of any local resources that could help. Don't delay critical care you need due to lack of insurance. With some research and planning, affordable options for physical therapy do exist. The most important thing is that you get the treatment necessary to heal from your injuries.
Using Personal Injury Protection (PIP) to Cover Physical Therapy
If you've been injured in a car accident, physical therapy and rehabilitation are often medically necessary to help you recover. The good news is that the cost of physical therapy is typically covered under your auto insurance policy.
Using Personal Injury Protection (PIP) to Cover Physical Therapy
Most auto insurance policies include Personal Injury Protection or PIP coverage. PIP helps pay for medical expenses like physical therapy after an accident, regardless of who is at fault. As the insured driver, your PIP coverage will help pay for your physical therapy costs. PIP also covers the medical expenses of your passengers.
The amount of PIP coverage can vary, but most states require at least $10,000 in coverage. If your PIP limits are higher, more of your physical therapy bills will be covered. You will still be responsible for paying any deductibles before coverage kicks in. PIP will pay for medically necessary physical therapy to help recover from injuries directly resulting from the auto accident. Treatment must begin within a certain time period after the accident, often 14 days.
To use your PIP coverage for physical therapy, you will need to obtain a prescription from your doctor. The prescription should indicate the diagnosis, frequency and duration of recommended physical therapy. Your physical therapist will bill your PIP insurance carrier directly. PIP will pay for a certain number of visits, so check with your insurer for exact coverage details. If additional treatment is needed beyond your PIP limits, your health insurance may provide supplemental coverage.
Using PIP to pay for physical therapy after a car accident can help ensure you get the treatment you need to recover properly. Be sure to understand your state's PIP requirements and coverage limits under your own auto policy. Working with doctors and physical therapists familiar with auto accident injury rehabilitation will also help maximize your benefits and optimize your recovery.
Getting the at-Fault Driver's Insurance to Pay
If you were injured in a car accident that was not your fault, the at-fault driver’s insurance company should cover the cost of your physical therapy treatments. As the victim of someone else’s negligence, you have the legal right to pursue compensation for any medical expenses resulting from the crash.
Filing a Claim
To get the at-fault driver’s insurance to pay for your physical therapy, you will need to file a claim with their insurance provider. When filing the claim, be sure to provide details about the accident, records of your injuries and diagnosis, as well as any bills or estimates for medical services like physical therapy. The insurance company will review the details of your claim to determine fault and liability. If they accept liability for the accident, they should agree to pay for reasonable and necessary medical expenses, including physical therapy.
Negotiating With the Insurance Company
The insurance company may try to dispute or deny parts of your claim, including the cost or duration of your prescribed physical therapy treatment plan. Do not let the insurance company take advantage of you or deny you fair compensation. You have the right to negotiate with them to get coverage for medically necessary care. Provide documentation from your doctor detailing your injuries, diagnosis, and recommended physical therapy program. Be prepared to show how the suggested treatments will help improve your condition. You can also get a second opinion from another doctor to strengthen your position.
Taking Legal Action
If the insurance company continues to deny or delay coverage for physical therapy that your doctor has prescribed and you need to recover from your injuries, you may need to pursue legal counsel. Contact a personal injury attorney to discuss filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver to get a court order for the insurance company to pay for necessary medical care, including physical therapy services, as well as other damages related to the accident.
A Texas Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Get Compensation
If you were injured in a motor vehicle collision, a personal injury attorney can help determine who is responsible for paying for your medical care and physical therapy. In Texas, several parties may be liable for covering these costs.
First, if another driver caused the accident through negligence or reckless behavior, their insurance provider will typically pay for resulting physical therapy and rehabilitation expenses. Your own auto insurance may also provide coverage, depending on the details of your policy.
Second, if you have health insurance, it may pay for at least part of your physical therapy. However, there are often deductibles, copays, and limits on the number of visits covered. An accident attorney can help get other parties’ insurance companies to cover any extra costs.
Finally, if your injuries are severe, you may be able to recover additional damages through a personal injury lawsuit. A lawyer can evaluate your medical records, bills, and the details of the accident to determine if you have grounds for a claim. They can then help you pursue a settlement to recover costs like lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical care in addition to past and ongoing physical therapy fees.
In summary, after a car accident in Texas, several sources may be responsible for paying for necessary physical therapy and rehabilitation, including the other driver’s insurance, your own auto insurance, health insurance, and personal injury settlements. Speaking with an experienced accident lawyer is the best way to understand your options and make sure your costs are covered so you can focus on recovery.
Call A Texas Car Accident Lawyer At Fletcher Law
If you have been injured in a car accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance company is typically responsible for covering the costs of your medical treatment, including physical therapy. However, insurance companies do not always accept liability or agree to pay for treatments right away. In these situations, you will need to get the help of a personal injury attorney to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call A Texas Car Accident Lawyer At Fletcher Law
The attorneys at Fletcher Law have been helping car accident victims in Texas obtain fair compensation for over 20 years. We have the skill and experience to deal with insurance companies and get your medical bills paid, including physical therapy. Some of the steps we will take on your behalf include:
- Conducting a thorough investigation into your accident to establish liability and gather evidence to support your claim.
- Sending a demand letter to the at-fault driver’s insurance company to accept responsibility for your injuries and agree to pay for all reasonable medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and other damages.
- If the insurance company denies your claim or offers an unfair settlement, we will pursue legal action by filing a personal injury lawsuit to take your case before a judge and jury.
- We will work with your doctors and therapists to determine the full extent of your injuries and treatment needs. We will then fight to recover compensation for all past and future medical care required, so you can get the physical therapy and rehabilitation you need to recover from your injuries.
Don’t delay in calling a Texas car accident lawyer for help. The sooner we can get involved in your case, the better we can advocate for you to obtain coverage for physical therapy and other accident-related costs. Our initial consultations are free and confidential. Call Fletcher Law today to schedule your appointment.
Conclusion
As you recover from injuries sustained in a car accident, proper physical therapy and rehabilitation are critical to your long term health and mobility. While the costs of treatment can be expensive, in many cases the at-fault driver's insurance company is responsible for covering these medical bills under their liability coverage. You should not delay or avoid necessary treatment due to concerns over payment. Consult with a personal injury attorney to understand your legal rights to coverage of medical expenses, as well as other damages you may be entitled to under the law. With the right legal counsel and medical care team supporting you, you can focus on healing and getting back to your normal activities. Though the road to recovery may be long, you deserve to be properly compensated for your injuries and have the resources to access high quality care.