Whether it’s a minor slip and fall, a tumble due to a lapse in safety, or a car collision, there’s no telling when you can get injured in an accident. With joint and muscle pains being some of the most common problems that you would have to deal with after an accident, you’d want to consider going to a chiropractor.
Chiropractic care will help you manage the pain and even speed up recovery, but who’s footing the bill? Thinking about the cost of treatment can be a stressful experience, especially while you are recovering from the accident. Fortunately, you don’t always have to shoulder the entire cost of chiropractic care. This depends on several factors, such as the type of accident, your insurance policy, and the presence of other parties involved in the accident. Let’s check out how these factors get to decide who’s paying.
Chiropractic Care Coverage After Slip And Fall Accidents
Whether it’s because you tripped on something, a slippery surface, or just a sudden loss of balance, slip-and-fall accidents can easily end in a trip to the chiropractor. The location and nature of the accident will be the deciding factor on who has to cover for your treatment.
- If the accident happened in your home, you will have to rely on your health insurance or personal accident insurance. Still, the amount of coverage can vary greatly depending on the provider. Otherwise, you might have to pay for the full cost of the treatment.
- Suppose the accident was caused by the negligence of someone else (like poor construction leading to slip and fall hazards). In that case, treatment may be covered by the responsible party, courtesy of a personal injury claim.
- If the accident happened within a commercial establishment, the owner of the property may be held liable. This is usually covered by the property owner’s commercial liability insurance.
Chiropractic Care Coverage After Workplace-Related Accidents
Most people think of construction sites and factories whenever they talk about workplace accidents, but trouble can still happen even if you’re working a desk job at an office. Overexertion and fatigue due to repetitive motions at work can greatly increase the risk of accidents occurring.
- Most employers are required to carry worker’s compensation insurance, which includes coverage for rehabilitation of an injury. In fact, this is the main source of payment for workplace injuries, which may consist of chiropractic care, among other medical procedures.
- Sometimes, worker’s compensation insurance doesn’t fully cover the cost of chiropractic care. If that is the case, then you could rely on your private health insurance to help lower the price. Aside from your personal savings account, this is also your main source of coverage if you are self-employed.
- A third party may be liable for the workplace accident, especially if the accident was caused by equipment malfunction or negligence from a subcontractor hired by the employer. If this is the case, you may be able to pursue a claim against that third party with help from an attorney for back injury cases.
Chiropractic Care Coverage After Vehicular Accidents
Vehicular accidents are frequently tied to joint and muscle injuries that may warrant chiropractic care. Even minor collisions can cause whiplash, and moderate crashes can also lead to long-term back injuries.
In some states like Florida, New York, and Kansas, chiropractic care may be covered by Personal Injury Protection regardless of who is responsible, hence the term “no-fault insurance.”. On the other hand, States like California, Arizona, and Texas are considered “at-fault” states, which means the driver responsible for the accident will be held liable for the damages.
- PIP coverage can vary per state. Some states give you the freedom to choose your medical providers and services, while others have separate coverage limitations specific to chiropractic care.
- Typical PIP coverage will cover most of your chiropractic needs, but some states could offer more (or less) coverage than you’d expect. You may want to check with an attorney to make sure you don’t get caught off-guard by your PIP’s limitations. Your health insurance can supplement these.
- Suppose you were involved in a car accident while on the job; both worker’s compensation and PIP can cover you. In this case, worker’s compensation will typically cover the medical expenses (including chiropractic care), with PIP covering additional medical costs that worker’s compensation wasn’t able to cover. However, it’s important to note that you cannot claim both worker’s compensation and PIP for the same expense.
General Advice On Accident Coverage For Chiropractic Care
You can’t afford to be complacent even if you know your trip to the chiropractor is going to be covered. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are getting any kind of treatment after getting involved in an accident.
- Check your insurance policies – Regardless of what’s paying for your visit to the chiropractor, you need to review the details of your policies. This will help you avoid problems related to unexpected charges that may pop up when it’s time to deal with the bills.
- Keep track of everything – Having as much information on you as possible can help make the insurance process smoother. You’d want to document every injury, treatment, and expense related to the accident so you can make a strong case and get approved on your first attempt.
- Do not forget the deadlines – One of the worst things that can happen after recovering from your injury is realizing you missed the deadline for filing a claim. While most policies set generous deadlines to account for your recovery, it’s still your responsibility to figure out how much time you have to work, especially if you may have to ask for a deadline extension.
Final Word
Getting coverage for your next visit to the chiropractor can be a tricky process. Between getting to know your insurance policies, knowing which claims you can file, and figuring out who’s responsible for payment, the entire process can get overwhelming, especially while you’re tending to your injuries. This is why it’s highly recommended to get help from an injury attorney, like someone from Arash Law. Having an experienced legal expert to provide professional guidance throughout the process helps ensure you are properly covered so you can focus on recovery without the added stress. Feel free to check out their website or call (888) 488-1391 to schedule a consultation.
