Oregon PIP 101: Does Auto Insurance Cover Chiropractic After a Car Accident?
If you’ve been in a car accident in Oregon, one of your first concerns might be, “How will I pay for treatment?” The good news is that Oregon law requires all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, and yes, it covers chiropractic care.
Here’s what you need to know about using your PIP benefits for chiropractic treatment after an accident.
How Much Coverage Do You Have?
Oregon law mandates a minimum of $15,000 in PIP coverage per person for medical expenses. While some people choose to increase this limit, most Oregon drivers carry the standard $15,000 policy. This coverage is available for up to two years from the date of your accident, giving you plenty of time to complete your treatment and recovery.
The best part? Most Oregon PIP policies have no deductible. Your benefits cover 100% of reasonable and necessary treatment expenses from the very first dollar, right up to your policy limit.
What Does PIP Cover?
Your Oregon PIP insurance covers a wide range of accident-related expenses, including:
Medical Treatment: All reasonable and necessary care related to your accident injuries, including chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, massage therapy, X-rays, MRIs, emergency room visits, and prescription medications.
Lost Wages: If your doctor says you need to stay home from work for at least 14 consecutive days, PIP covers 70% of your lost income, up to $3,000 per month for up to 52 weeks.
Essential Services: Can’t do household tasks due to your injuries? PIP provides up to $30 per day for up to 52 weeks to cover services like childcare, housekeeping, or yard work.Funeral Expenses: In tragic cases, PIP covers up to $5,000 in funeral costs if the accident results in death.
How Chiropractic Care Fits Into Your PIP Coverage
Chiropractic treatment is fully covered under Oregon PIP insurance as long as it’s reasonable and necessary for your accident-related injuries. This is especially important because many common car accident injuries, like whiplash, back pain, neck pain, and sciatica, respond exceptionally well to chiropractic care.
You don’t need a referral from a medical doctor to see a chiropractor under PIP coverage. Oregon law gives you the freedom to choose your healthcare providers, so you can go directly to a chiropractic office that specializes in treating auto accident injuries.
What If You’re At Fault?
Here’s something many people don’t realize: your PIP coverage applies even if you caused the accident. Oregon’s no-fault system means your own insurance pays for your medical treatment regardless of who was responsible for the collision. This ensures you can get the care you need immediately without worrying about proving fault first.
Tips for Using Your PIP Benefits
Act Quickly: While you have up to two years to use PIP benefits, it’s best to start treatment as soon as possible after your accident. Early intervention often leads to better outcomes and prevents injuries from becoming chronic.
Keep Documentation: Save all receipts, bills, and records related to your treatment. Your chiropractor’s office will typically handle billing your PIP insurance directly, but good records are essential.
Communicate With Your Provider: Choose a chiropractor experienced in handling PIP claims. At Complete Health Chiropractic Center, we work directly with insurance companies to ensure your treatment is covered and minimize claim denials.
Don’t Delay Treatment: Some people wait to see if their pain will go away on its own. However, delayed symptoms after a car accident are common, and untreated injuries can lead to long-term complications.
What Happens When PIP Runs Out?
If you exhaust your $15,000 PIP limit or your two-year coverage period ends, you have several options. You may be able to use your regular health insurance for continued care, or you might pursue compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance for additional medical expenses and pain and suffering.
Get Started With Your Recovery Today
Understanding your PIP benefits is the first step toward recovery after a car accident. Oregon’s mandatory coverage ensures you have access to quality chiropractic care when you need it most, without upfront costs or waiting for fault determinations.
At Complete Health Chiropractic Center in Oregon City, we specialize in treating car accident injuries and working with PIP insurance. Our team handles all the insurance paperwork so you can focus on healing. We offer comprehensive care that addresses not just your immediate pain but also promotes long-term wellness.
Don’t let concerns about coverage delay your treatment. If you’ve been in an accident, your PIP insurance is there to help. Contact us today at (503) 557-9266 to schedule your consultation, and start your road to recovery.