The time following a traumatic automobile accident can be stressful, particularly if spinal injuries are involved. Not only do you need to find a doctor to treat your injuries, but chances are you need to navigate the insurance process. Furthermore, if you are in the New Jersey area, the added element of personal injury protection (PIP), or no-fault insurance, comes into play.
The following information is designed to help you understand a little bit more about PIP and how it plays a role, as well as how to find a PIP surgeon in NJ. As you develop a better understanding of the process, you will likely feel less overwhelmed and more able to focus on yourself and your recovery.
What Is PIP?
PIP stands for “personal injury protection,” a required type of auto insurance for most residents in New Jersey. It is sometimes referred to as no-fault insurance because it is paid out no matter who is considered to be at fault in the accident. PIP covers both direct medical expenses and other incurred expenses, such as lost wages, should you be injured in an automobile accident.
It’s important to understand that part of the no-fault concept is that your PIP insurance covers your medical expenses, even if another driver was at fault or you were a passenger in a vehicle. This ensures that you are able to receive medical treatment, even if you are injured as a result of actions by an uninsured motorist.
How to Select Your PIP Surgeon in NJ
Now that you have a better understanding of PIP, you can move on to begin looking for a surgeon to treat your back injury. Because simply doing an online search for “PIP surgeon NJ” is likely going to turn up overwhelming results, the following information will help guide you as you find the right surgeon to treat your spinal injury and pain.
1. Look for Qualities You Value
Before you begin, take a few moments to decide what qualities you feel are important in your PIP spinal surgeon. By jotting down a few ideas beforehand, you can keep an eye open for keywords and phrases as you sift through online reviews and information. It’s important you consider what qualities you care most about, but some potential merits include:
- Compassion
- Confidence
- Trustworthiness
- Experience
2. Look at Patient Reviews
There are many sites dedicated solely to publishing patient reviews of healthcare providers. These can provide valuable information about patients’ past experiences, providing insight into their interactions and impressions of their surgeons. As you read through these reviews, look at your list of values you determined were important to you. If you start to see them pop up in the reviews of a surgeon, consider scheduling a consultation to see if he or she is a fit for you.
3. Evaluate the Surgeon’s Experience
However severe your spinal injury, you will want to find a PIP surgeon who has experience with treating your exact condition. There are surgeons who specialize in treating very narrow ranges of conditions, and you may wish to find someone who is experienced in the treatment and management of back injuries.
To determine a surgeon’s experience, it can be helpful to use online reviews. Just as you kept an eye open for characteristics you value, also take note when a review mentions the same condition you are seeking treatment for. This feedback lets you know that particular surgeon has experiencing treating your condition, as well as how a previous patient felt about it.
Another resource is the surgeon’s own website. Read through patient testimonials and descriptions of the surgeon’s training and qualifications. If you don’t see any mention of your condition, you may wish to move on to another doctor.
The Right PIP Surgeon for You
At this point, you should have a clearer understanding of what PIP means and how it relates to your automobile accident injury. As you are reading through reviews and evaluating potential PIP surgeons in NJ, you may wish to give strong preference to a practice that employs an insurance benefits specialist who can help you better understand and navigate the sometimes-confusing insurance system.
Once you find a PIP surgeon who seems to be a good fit for your spinal injury and needs, schedule a consultation visit to gauge the practice in person. If at any point you feel like you are not a good match, do not hesitate to move on and look for another surgeon. It’s important that you are comfortable with your surgeon so you can rest easy through the treatment process, focusing on healing from your automobile accident.
