How can I pay for a chiropractor after experiencing car crash injuries?

Learn How to Deal With Chiropractor Costs While Recovering from a Virginia Car Accident

After a car wreck, many victims turn to chiropractic care to address injuries and aid in their recovery. However, managing the financial burden of paying for these and other treatments while insurance claims or civil lawsuits are still pending can feel overwhelming. So, covering chiropractor costs requires knowledge of available resources and strategies.

At The Mottley Law Firm, our knowledgeable Virginia car accident lawyers can help point you toward possible options for handling these expenses and ensuring you continue to receive the medical care you need.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help Treat Your Injuries

Some of the most common types of injuries sustained in collisions are to the neck and back. There are many car accident claims for whiplash, for instance, and victims often suffer from neck stiffness and shoulder pain for months. Left untreated, internal injuries to soft tissue also lead to negative long-term consequences. Minor aches can quickly progress into excruciating chronic pain, affecting someone’s ability to work and carry out daily activities.

Visiting with a chiropractor can help alleviate pain, release tension, and restore mobility. Chiropractic adjustments to the spine and joints are purported to promote recovery in neuromusculoskeletal system injuries. Many car crash victims seek chiropractic treatments on their road to recovery. Receiving earlier treatment for injuries combined with other medical care is linked to better outcomes.

Virginia Car Accident Settlement Payments Take Time

Compensation from car accident lawsuits can be substantial in some cases. Even a low-impact car crash can lead to millions of dollars in settlement payments. Victims don’t receive this money right away, though. This does little to relieve the financial burden of immediate bills, like the costs of chiropractic care.

Whether you’re filing an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit, it’s important to get medical treatment that will help you as soon as you can. Be sure to have your injuries and procedures fully documented, as these reports serve as vital evidence in your car accident injury case. Because payments from pending claims and civil actions can take months to arrive, though, you must find a way to pay for your pressing medical bills in the interim.

Ways to Pay for a Chiropractor With Pending Case Results

Depending on the number and complexity of visits, chiropractic care after a Virginia car accident can amount to thousands of dollars. The insurance company for the at-fault driver should cover these medical bills eventually, but you need options to pay your chiropractor in the meantime. Here are some possibilities we’ve recommended to clients.

Cash Out of Pocket

If you have the means, you might choose to pay for a chiropractor yourself, perhaps out of your emergency savings fund. This means you will likely experience some opportunity cost, but paying cash out of pocket is one of the least complex options you have.

Health Insurance Policy

When you’re involved in a crash, you must report your Virginia car accident to your insurance provider. If you see a chiropractor for your injuries, you may also notify your health insurance company. Your policy may cover the cost of some chiropractic treatment when it’s prescribed as part of an active treatment plan. Coverage varies, though, so speak with your health insurance provider for details, including requirements for proof.

Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)

Medical Payments Coverage, commonly called MedPay, is an optional policy you may have on your car insurance. It can pay for medical costs to a certain maximum, regardless of who’s at fault for causing the car accident. The no-fault insurance policy is also called Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Medical Expense Coverage. 

Code of Virginia § 38.2-2201 states that chiropractor visits are included in MedPay claims. You may be able to use MedPay toward health insurance deductibles and co-pays. 

Workers’ Compensation Claim

If your Virginia car accident happened while you were on the job, you might be able to file a claim with your employer’s workers' compensation insurance. Workers’ comp can cover medical costs and lost wages due to employment-related injuries. In many cases, injured employees don’t have to pay a deductible with workers’ compensation, but if you eventually recoup costs from a lawsuit, you may need to reimburse your workers' comp provider.  

Medical Liens and Other Alternative Arrangements

With guidance from your knowledgeable car accident attorney, you could negotiate for alternate payment arrangements with your chiropractor, such as:

• Deferred deductibles and co-pays until a settlement is reached.
• Medical liens where the chiropractor has a legal right to payment at settlement.
• Sliding scale fees due to financial need or hardship.
• Payment plans to extend fees over a longer period with installments.

Consult The Mottley Law Firm to Explore Options For Your Virginia Car Accident Claim

In our state, the standard statute of limitations for car crash claims is two years. When you’re already suffering from lost wages and mounting medical bills, though, it’s crucial to begin the legal recovery process as early as possible. The sooner you can start building a case and filing the appropriate civil actions, the more quickly you might receive the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Paying for a chiropractor after a car accident is just one facet of your claim. Work with the talented Virginia car accident lawyers at The Mottley Law Firm to assess the true value of your case, including the pain and suffering damages you may have endured. It’s the first step to getting your life back on track.