Personal Injury Protection

PIP Lawyer in Florida

Do you treat and provide services to patients with PIP (or "person injury protection") insurance? As a healthcare provider that serves patients with PIP coverage, you may have received notices about the recent changes in Florida law that began taking effect.

Florida PIP Insurance Changes

Florida's workers compensation system has long been one of the most litigated in the nation, largely because:

• Benefits are mandatory
• Injured workers have the right to choose their physician
• Litigation expenses for the employer are predictable
• There are no limitations on medical treatment
• Litigation is essentially a fee-shifting system that encourages disputes

PIP Coverage Requirements

Florida's mandatory PIP coverage kicks in when someone files a claim. The coverage must:

• Pay for up to 80% of your reasonable and necessary medical expenses
• Pay for up to 60% of your lost wages
• Limit coverage to $10,000 per claim in medical expenses and lost wages

The Recent Changes to Florida's PIP System

Effective July 1, 2021, several new laws will change how PIP claims are handled in Florida:

• PIP benefits will be managed by the injured worker's auto insurer
• The definition of "emergency medical condition" has been tightened
• Healthcare providers must register with their insurer to receive reimbursement
• Some treatments that were previously covered are no longer covered
• Reimbursement rates for some services have been reduced

What This Means for Healthcare Providers

These changes will affect how medical providers approach treating and billing PIP patients. Providers must now:

• Verify insurance coverage before providing treatment
• Register as in-network providers with their patients' PIP insurers
• Follow strict protocols for medical documentation
• Accept lower reimbursement rates for certain services
• Comply with new utilization review procedures

The Legal Help You Need

The attorneys of Shamis & Gentile, P.A. represent healthcare providers in disputes with PIP insurers and work to protect the interests of patients whose claims have been wrongfully denied or underpaid. If you have questions about how Florida's new PIP laws affect your practice, or if you need help fighting a denied claim, contact our office.