On January 1, 2013, changes to the Florida PIP (Personal Injury Protection) Law went into effect. Accident victims now have only 14 days to seek medical care after an accident. In the past, no time limit to seek medical care was imposed.
The Florida Legislature approved these changes with the intent of preventing insurance fraud. But the new law may also make the already difficult process of recovering from an accident even more so. Here is a brief synopsis of some of the changes that victims of auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle vehicle accidents, and commercial vehicle accidents now face under Florida’s new PIP Law
- Accident victims must seek out medical care within 14 days of an accident;
- If an accident victim seeks medical treatment more than 14 days after an accident, no reimbursement from an insurance company may be sought;
- Accident victims may be eligible for only $2500 for medical care, rather than the entire $10,000 offered under Florida’s previous PIP law;
- Only “serious injuries” will be eligible for the full $10,000 in PIP coverage, and less severe injuries may be eligible for up to $2500;
- Accident victims must seek authorization from a medical professional (M.D., D.O., dentist, physician’s assistant, or advanced registered nurse practioner) of the seriousness of injuries;
- Massage therapy and acupuncture is no longer covered under PIP;
- Insurers are not required to notify policyholders about the changes to the Florida PIP law.
These changes to the Florida PIP law may very well be unconstitutional, and will likely face opposition in court. But unless and until they are repealed, these changes to Florida PIP law currently stand.
The Law Offices of Paul J. Healy sincerely hope that you and/or your loved ones never experience any type of motor vehicle accident. But if you do, we’re here to help.
