New Florida PIP Laws

Last year, Governor Rick Scott passed a law that would forever change the PIP laws in Florida. The new laws were effective January 1, 2013. Unfortunately, this is not a good thing for licensed Florida drivers. The laws' main objective was to lower monthly premiums for drivers in Florida. It has now been 7 months, and I have not heard one person say their monthly insurance premium went down. In fact, I hear the opposite! Maybe it's because it has only been 7 months, you say. Well personally speaking, I am not buying it. Below is a list of the new laws put into effect this year:

• If you are injured in a Miami car accident, you have 14 days to seek initial treatment for your injuries. This means if you seek treatment after 14 days, you will not be covered under your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage that you pay for.
• Massage and acupucture are not covered anymore.
• If you do seek treatment, you are only entitled to 25% of your PIP coverage. This means you can only get $2,500 of treatment for your injuries. But if you have a Emergency Medical Condition (EMC), only then are you allocated your full $10,000 in PIP coverage. See below for the state's definition of EMC. Keep in mind, you pay for $10,000 in coverage every month, either way.
• Only licensed medical doctors, osteopaths, dentists, physician assistants, or advanced registered nurse practitioners can determine if you have a Emergency Medical Condition.

Emergency Medical Condition: a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity, which may include severe pain, such that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected to result in:

-serious jeopardy to patient health, and/or

-serious impairment to bodily functions, and/or

-serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part

So if you were hurt in a Miami car accident, be sure to call the Miami Car Accident Clinic ASAP to schedule a free consultation. The Miami Car Accident Clinic is open 7 days per week, so don't delay to get examined. 

Author: Dr. Jared Rose DC

Miami Car Accident Clinic

301 NE 79th Street

Miami, FL 33138

(305) 834-7900