PIP Insurance and Chiropractic: What You Need to Know After a Crash

PIP Insurance and Chiropractic: What You Need to Know After a Crash

Being in a car accident can be scary and confusing. Many car crash victims find it a big relief when they can use Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance to cover chiropractic care and other medical costs. For patients in the Kingwood and north Houston area, PIP is a life saver when it comes to recovering after a car accident. 

After a car crash, your pain doesn’t always stop when the accident does—and neither should your care. Many people don’t realize that Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance can cover essential chiropractic treatment, helping you recover faster without paying out of pocket. Whether you're dealing with whiplash, back pain, or headaches, ignoring these injuries can lead to long-term damage. This blog breaks down how PIP works, what’s covered, and why seeing a chiropractor right away can make all the difference in your recovery.

Quick Insights

PIP, or personal injury protection insurance, is a hidden gem when it comes to medical coverage after an injury or car crash. Unfortunately, around the Houston area, there are many hit and run accidents every day, many of these accident victims don't realize that they have medical coverage available to them; called PIP. If you are driving and you hydroplane and veer off the road and hit a tree; PIP insurance will cover you medical treatment, including chiropractic care.

Key Takeaways

• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance often covers chiropractic care after a car accident. PIP from Geico, USAA, Travelers, Allstate, Farmers, Texas Farm Bureau and more; always cover chiropractic treatment on their PIP plans.

• Chiropractic services are considered a necessary part of the recovery process for many accident-related injuries. Whether you have PIP insurance, uninsured motorist insurance, regular health insurance or just want to pay out of pocket, chiropractic care is primary when it comes to treating whiplash injuries.

• Understanding PIP coverage can alleviate financial stress related to medical expenses. PIP insurance can cover medical costs from $2500-$10000 per person who is in the vehicle that crashed.

• Chiropractic care can be a key part of the overall treatment plan following a crash. Going to see a chiropractor immediately after an accident will allow you to get the proper exam, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan to get you on the path to recovery.

• It's important to review your PIP insurance policy to know the extent of your chiropractic care coverage. PIP insurance from Geico, USAA or others offers 4 limits for medical care; they are $2500, $5000, $7500 and $10000. If you are not sure if you have PIP insurance on your auto policy, call your insurance agent and you can always add it if you don't have it.

Why It Matters

There is a staggering statistic out there, there are over 3 million accident a year in the US; probably 100,000 or more in the Houston area alone. 50% of these car accident victims, never fully recover from their whiplash injuries; that is scary. Out of 50% of car crash victims who don't recover, it would be interesting to see how many of them actually sought out medical care, chiropractic care, physical therapy or pain management. For the 50% of people who never recover fully from their whiplash injuries, how many of them never received chiropractic care because they did not think they had insurance to cover it?

Introduction

As a 25-year chiropractor in Kingwood, Texas, I have treated thousands of whiplash injured patients. only around 25% of these patients are using their PIP or uninsured motorist insurance that is provided by their auto policy. As a practicing chiropractic doctor; we are considered the primary spine care doctors when it comes to car crash injuries. We really are spine care experts, I am not saying that to be egotistical, and I do realize the importance of other doctors in the treatment of whiplash injuries. Besides car accident cases, as a chiropractic doctor in Kingwood, I evaluate back pain, neck pain, headaches, Sciatica, disc herniations, pinched nerves, and soft tissue injuries every day with patient care.

We had a family of four that slid off the road and ended up running into a tree in the north Houston area. There was no other car to blame or take responsibility, if there was it, they were long gone. This family, each individual came in for chiropractic care with their own injuries, two sons, the mom and the dad. Each person who is in the car, is entitled to PIP benefits, using PIP for chiropractic care and other medical care. Each family member had a $2500 limit, for chiropractic care, over the course of 4 weeks we used about 3/4 of that to get everyone healed, recovered and released.

This is a prime example of using PIP for chiropractic care, this family would not have been able to afford chiropractic treatment for their entire family if they had to pay out of pocket. The sad reality of it, is that many people who are involved in car accidents, and it wasn't their fault, never get chiropractic treatment for their neck pain, back pain and other whiplash injuries.

In my 25 years’ experience seeing patients, when spinal injuries are not fixed or healed, they get worse. Joint injuries in the neck and lower back create extra stress and pressure in those areas; this is why the pain doesn't go away and can actually turn into arthritis, facet syndrome, chronic pain and disc herniations.

In our Kingwood chiropractic office, we provide a comprehensive exam and consultation for all of our car accident patients or personal injury clients. Going through the primary spine care fellowship, which is affiliated with a medical school in New York, has allowed me to properly assess the trauma injured patient. Trauma injured patients from whiplash injuries are a special kind of patient, they have experienced an injury to their spine and soft tissues that is significant and often times has permanent consequences. 

With every car crash patient we see, we strive to give them the most accurate diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan to not only get them healed and recovered, but also make the insurance process easy. As a car accident chiropractor, we have to prove and justify the diagnosis and treatment we provide to our patients. We get the most accurate diagnosis through our consultation, examination and specific imaging. 

Some of my PI patients tell me, "doc the accident was pretty severe, my care was a total write off, but I really don't feel that bad". After I do my exam, orthopedic testing, sensory and muscle testing the patient usually sees how serious their injuries are. If a patient has lower back pain and pain shooting down their leg; this might be a lumbar disc herniation, and we can see this with an MRI. If this is the case, the patient now goes from having simple back pain chiropractic treatment of 6-8 weeks to now, getting 6-8 months or treatment or more from chiropractic, pain management, orthopedic doctors and maybe even a spinal surgeon. If you are this patient, we do the proper testing and documentation to make sure your PIP insurance company sees the significance of your injuries. If Geico, USAA, State Farm, Farmers or Allstate sees that you have a disc herniation in your lower back causing severe back pain and pain all the way down your leg; they cannot deny your chiropractic therapy without good reason. 

That being said, sometimes insurance claims can get messy; the insurance company just doesn't want to pay so hiring a personal injury attorney may be necessary. I tell all of my patients, if you are in a car accident, you deserve at least two things: 1. for your vehicle to be repaired or cover the cost of a new one so that you can go to work, take the kids to school, go to college, go to the grocery store and more. 2. Get your body fixed as close to how it was before the accident. I always recommend to my patients, tell your insurance company; this is how my car or SUV was before the accident, fix it. Your whiplash injuries are the same, tell your insurance company, this is how I was before the car crash, I want to get enough treatment to get me back to that place. 

If you are in a car crash and are dealing with aches and pains that you did not have before the accident, reach out to our Kingwood Chiropractic Spine and Injury Center, we have over 25 years’ experience treating whiplash injuries, and helping our patients navigate the insurance process. 

Understanding PIP Insurance Basics

Knowing about Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance can be very helpful after a crash. PIP insurance helps pay for medical costs and other expenses after an accident. It doesn't matter who caused the accident and this is the difference between PIP insurance and 3rd party insurance. 3rd party insurance is when another person is at fault for the car crash and you are filing on their insurance. It's important to understand what PIP insurance is, how it's different from other auto insurance, and the rules in Texas. 

What is Personal Injury Protection Coverage?

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is a part of auto insurance, through your regular auto policy such as Allstate, Progressive, Nationwide, or Farmers. It pays for medical bills, chiropractic care, lost wages, and other costs after an accident. It's special because it covers you and others, like family or passengers, no matter who was at fault. Often times the car crash is the other person's, fault, however, they might not have any insurance or they might flee the accident scene and you never find them again.

"PIP insurance is there to ensure that you're protected when you need it most,"

insurance experts often say.

State	PIP Coverage Requirement
Florida	Required for all drivers
New York	Optional but highly recommended
New Jersey	Required with certain conditions

How PIP Differs from Other Auto Insurance

PIP insurance is different from other auto insurance, like liability insurance or collision coverage. Liability insurance helps pay for damages to others if you're at fault. PIP insurance, on the other hand, covers your medical costs and other related expenses, no matter who caused the accident. This makes PIP a key part of a full auto insurance policy. Each state has different rules for PIP coverage. Some, like Florida, require it for everyone. Others, like Texas and New York, let you choose but suggest it. Knowing your state's PIP rules is important to make sure you're covered if you get into an accident.

PIP for Chiropractic Care: Coverage and Benefits

Understanding PIP insurance for chiropractic care is important after an accident. After a car crash, recovery from injuries is complex and can take months of chiropractic, pain management and physical therapy. PIP insurance does cover chiropractic so you know that your whiplash injuries will be taken care of.

Types of Chiropractic Services Covered

Chiropractic care treats mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, like the spine. PIP insurance often covers different chiropractic services. This means you can get the care you need without paying a lot upfront.

• Cold laser therapy and shockwave therapy to help reduce inflammation, boost circulation and enhance healing.

• Spinal chiropractic adjustments and manipulations to improve joint mobility and reduce pain and inflammation.

• Therapeutic exercises and modalities to support recovery and enhance physical function.

Spinal Chiropractic Adjustments and Manipulations

Spinal adjustments are key in chiropractic care. They aim to restore joint mobility, reduce pain, and improve function. PIP insurance covers these services, helping you heal from injuries.

Therapeutic exercises and modalities are also important in chiropractic care. These include stretches, strengthening exercises, and treatments like ultrasound, cold laser therapy and shockwave therapy. They all help in your recovery.

Typical Coverage Limits and Timeframes

It's important to know the coverage limits and timeframes for PIP chiropractic care. PIP insurance policies differ by state. They set how long and how much chiropractic care you can get under your PIP benefits, this is solely determined by your insurance limits which are $2500, $5000, $7500 and $10000.

Pros and Cons of Using PIP for Chiropractic Treatment

Using PIP insurance for chiropractic care has its good points and downsides. The main benefit is the financial help it offers. This makes it easier to get the care you need.

Advantages of PIP Coverage

The main advantage of PIP for chiropractic care is the financial help it provides. It reduces the cost of chiropractic adjustments and therapies. Many drivers in Texas pay for PIP, mind you it does not cost very much, you can get $10000 worth of medical coverage for around $100 extra per year on your auto policy. If you are in a car crash and have significant whiplash injuries, take advantage of your PIP policy, that’s what it is there for. 

Potential Limitations to Be Aware Of

While PIP insurance is beneficial, there are limits to know. These include coverage limits, visit limits, and out-of-network costs. If your chiropractor is not in your insurer's network, you might face extra costs. Keep in mind that most PIP coverage can be used at any chiropractic or medical office; companies like Farmers, State Farm, USAA, Allstate, Progressive and other are not allowed to discriminate. 

Conclusion: Making the Most of Your PIP Benefits After a Car Crash

Being in a car accident can be tough. But, knowing how to use your PIP benefits can help a lot. It's key to understand how Personal Injury Protection (PIP) works with chiropractic care for your health.

PIP can pay for many chiropractic services; this helps you recover more quickly from your accident injuries. Knowing what's covered and when is important to get the most from your benefits.

Chiropractic Services	PIP Coverage
Chiropractic Adjustments	Typically Covered
Physical Therapy	Often Covered
Diagnostic Tests	Usually Covered

Knowing your PIP benefits and how they help with chiropractic care is vital. It makes your recovery after a car accident easier. If you don't know about your PIP coverage, call your insurance agent and get the details.

FAQ

What is Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, and how does it relate to chiropractic care?

PIP insurance helps pay for medical costs after a car accident. This includes chiropractic care, no matter who's at fault. I've seen how important it is for covering chiropractic services after an accident, it allows people with whiplash injuries to get the chiropractic care they need to recover and get back to living a normal life again. 

Does PIP insurance cover chiropractic services, and what types of services are typically included?

Yes, PIP insurance covers chiropractic services. This includes chiropractic adjustments, corrective exercises, cold laser therapy, deep tissue therapy, shockwave therapy and physical therapy. These treatments help relieve pain, improve mobility and help heal the spine and soft tissues. 

How does PIP coverage for chiropractic care differ from other types of auto insurance?

PIP coverage pays for medical expenses, like chiropractic care, without needing to prove fault. This is different from other auto insurance, which might require fault to pay out benefits.

Are there any limitations or timeframes for using PIP benefits for chiropractic care?

Yes, PIP coverage has limits and timeframes. For example, some policies require treatment to start within a few weeks after the accident, while others allow the accident victim all the way up to 2 years. It's important to check your policy with your insurance agent for these details.

Can I use PIP benefits for ongoing chiropractic care, or are they limited to immediate post-accident treatment?

PIP benefits can cover ongoing chiropractic care, depending on your policy and state laws. In my experience, treating thousands of car accident victims in the Kingwood and north Houston area, it's been helpful for ongoing treatment and managing pain. Every person who is in the car that was involved in a car wreck is entitled to PIP benefits, if the driver has them. Each individual can get ongoing chiropractic care physical therapy or pain management until they are satisfied with their recovery. 

How do I determine if my PIP insurance covers chiropractic care, and what are the typical coverage limits?

Check your PIP policy documents or talk to your insurance provider to see if chiropractic care is covered. Coverage limits vary by state and policy. Most all big insurance companies like Geico, Nationwide, USAA and Progressive all of 4 choices to policy limits, $2500, $5000, $7500 or $10000. In my Kingwood chiropractic office, I had a patient who was involved in a pretty bad car wreck in the Woodlands, over 6 months he received chiropractic treatment and used all of his $10000 limit to get back to living a pain free and active life. Thank goodness PIP was there for Mr. Charles, otherwise he would have had to deal with his pain and injuries permanently. 

Are there any other drawbacks or limitations to using PIP benefits for chiropractic care?

While PIP benefits are helpful, there are drawbacks. These include coverage limits, timeframes, and how they might affect future insurance costs. It's important to consider these when using your PIP benefits.

What if my PIP insurance runs out for chiropractic, What are my options?

With PIP for chiropractic, there are cases where our patients run out of coverage. If patients only have a $2500 limit for their PIP insurance, that can go by quickly; especially if you go to the emergency room, get a CT scan or MRI; it will eat up that $2500 in a hurry. Whatever the case may be, there are other options to getting coverage for your whiplash injuries. The most common insurance coverage after PIP is uninsured motorist insurance, this is also something that is part of your auto policy, if you choose to add it. Uninsured motorist insurance is self-explanatory; if someone hits you and they have no insurance or they did a hit and run; you are now able to use your uninsured motorist insurance to cover your chiropractic benefits.