If you have suffered back pain following an automobile accident, it is important you find a doctor to work with who also accepts your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. To help make things a little easier for you, the following information will help guide you as you begin looking for a PIP doctor in NJ to treat your injuries.
An Overview of PIP
In the State of New Jersey, nearly everyone who is the registered owner of an insured vehicle must carry a special type of automobile insurance called PIP, or no-fault insurance. If you are injured in an accident involving an automobile, whether you are the driver, passenger or pedestrian, your PIP insurance will cover your medical expenses.
It is important to understand that you are responsible for your own coverage, regardless of who may be at fault for the accident. This is why New Jersey is known as a no-fault state. This does not mean that you cannot pursue a personal injury claim against the other driver, but that is a separate, private legal proceeding.
There are other nuances to PIP insurance, however, if you find a practice with an insurance benefits specialist, he or she can also help you navigate the insurance process.
Finding a PIP Doctor in NJ
A PIP doctor is one who will accept your PIP insurance to pay for your medical bills. There are some practices that will only process health insurance, rather than automobile PIP insurance, so you need to take that into consideration as you evaluate potential doctors.
Word of Mouth
A great way to find a doctor who is a good match for you is to ask the opinions of people you know and trust. These can be family, friends or coworkers. Even if they do not have direct experience with a PIP doctor in NJ, they may know someone who has who can make recommendations.
Online Reviews and Testimonials
Even if you do not find any leads through word of mouth, you can still easily look to the recommendations of others. There are a number of websites dedicated to publishing reviews of patient experiences, both positive and negative. These can provide information about the patient’s’ interactions with doctors, what treatments were performed, and whether or not the doctors accepted PIP insurance.
You can also find patient testimonials on the websites for many medical practices. However, you may want to keep in mind that those testimonials are typically chosen because they reflect a positive experience and may not be representative of all patients.
Referrals From Professionals
If you are looking for a specialist to treat your back injury, your general physician making the referral may be able to recommend someone they are familiar with. When asking for a referral, you may wish to explain to your doctor what you are looking for, whether it be someone in the area or a particular quality.
Another great resource is your automobile insurance company. Chances are they will be able to refer you to a PIP doctor in NJ, and many companies even have a searchable online database to make things even easier.
You may also consider calling to speak with an insurance agent, particularly if you are looking for a specialist who accepts PIP insurance. They may be able to provide you with a list of potential providers in your area, giving you a great jumping-off point to do more research.
What to Look for in a PIP Doctor
As you read through online reviews, it can be helpful to spend a few minutes beforehand to develop a list of values or characteristics you would like to have in your PIP doctor. Keep your eyes open for these keywords and phrases as you read what other people have to say, and you may be able to narrow down your search to only those doctors who seem to be a good fit for you.
You will need to develop a list of qualities you find personally important, but some characteristics patients commonly value include:
- Experience
- Compassion
- Trustworthiness
- Honesty
- Empathy
Finding the Right PIP Doctor in NJ for You
At this point, you should have a greater understanding of what PIP insurance means in New Jersey and how it affects you as you seek treatment for your spinal injury. You have enough to deal with between handling the after-effects of an automobile accident, as well as your injury. By utilizing the tools outlined above, you can reduce some of the stress associated with navigating the insurance world and needing to seek out a new doctor.
Keep in mind that if you schedule a consultation with a PIP doctor in NJ and don’t feel like he or she is a good match for you, you are free to seek treatment elsewhere. It’s important you are comfortable with your provider and feel like you are working with someone who will value you as a patient and keep your best interests in mind. If you ever feel like you haven’t found the right PIP doctor yet, consider seeking a second opinion.
