The Consumer Federation of America released a report in June 2012 that contained some interesting information about how insurance companies may manipulate information that is input into their claims adjusting software.  While it is certainly not acceptable for providers to elevate injury claims by providing false, incomplete or misleading information it is equally unacceptable for insurance companies to engage in this behavior to reduce or deny patient benefits.

The Consumer Federation of America is an association of nearly 300 nonprofit consumer organizations that was established in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, advocacy and education.  This report shows instances of insurance adjusters with no formal medical education or credentials second guessing medical professionals by altering details of the medical reports and choosing injury/diagnosis codes that yield lower recommended settlement values.  Many consumers are unaware that these “claims adjusting” systems are even being used.  There are many different types of these systems with some of the most widely used being Colossus and TEACH.  Information concerning the diagnosis and treatment is input into these systems and the recommended settlement offers are produced by the computers.  More information is becoming available that suggests that these systems can be manipulated at any time in an effort to reduce payment to the injured party.  If you are interested in reading the entire report please click here.

Your car impact was violent. After the initial trauma and confusion, you inventory yourself for pain or injury, and if you are lucky you feel or see none. However, you should still seek medical treatment. Delayed symptoms of injuries are extremely common after traffic collisions. Often this delay can be more than 72 hours after the collision. These injuries may worsen by engaging in everyday activities and cause more damage and a longer recovery. By seeking immediate medical treatment these injuries can be properly diagnosed and treated in a timely manner to avoid permanent injury. There is an abundance of literature describing delayed onset of symptoms because they are so common, insidious and important (1)

These delayed symptoms may indicate a significant injury. You may have been taken to the emergency room following a motor vehicle accident where X-rays were taken and an exam was performed. Most times the X-rays do not show any fractures or significant pathology. The emergency room likely diagnosed a Sprain/Strain and you are released with pain medication and muscle relaxer medication. The emergency room is designed to treat emergencies. Once they have established that you are not in a critical or intensive state, you are released. By no means does that mean you are well, or have no significant injury. It is important to follow up with a doctor that focuses on treating motor vehicle accident injuries. This way you can be assured that any injuries requiring treatment will be diagnosed and properly rehabilitated
References

1 – A Distinct Pattern of Myofascial Findings in Patients After Whiplash Injury
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 89, Issue 7, July 2008, p 1290-1293

So you’ve been hurt in an accident…now what?  Here’s a typical story of what happens after a car accident.  You’re having pain, so you go to the emergency room.  The doctor says you have a pulled muscle, he gives you some medicine or prescriptions, and sends you home.  They may then tell you that you should get a massage, put some heat on the area, and rest.  First of all, this is generally terrible advice for the type of injuries that may occur during a car accident.  He or she then tells you to follow up with your primary care provider in 3-5 days if you’re not feeling better.  Then when you go to a primary care provider and are told that the doctor does not accept automobile insurance for care.  You are typically told you can either pay cash or file health insurance…if you have health insurance.  Does this sound familiar?

Many people who have been injured in a car accident have no idea where to start.  You may be in pain and not know where to turn for help.  At Premier Chiropractic we treat people in this situation everyday.  We are able to help you better understand your situation and what you can do to get better.  In most cases, we can help you recover from these injuries.  In the event that we cannot treat you, we can refer you to the type of health care provider you require.

In Raleigh, and the rest of North Carolina, we have fault insurance, meaning that when you are in an accident caused by another driver, the insurance company of the at-fault driver is normally responsible for the injuries and damages resulting from that car accident.  At Premier Chiropractic, we give you the opportunity to treat without paying out of pocket in these instances.  We will bill the insurance company directly for your care or send your bills to your attorney if you are represented by one for your accident.  Either way, you are not going to have to worry about filing the bills with the insurance and chasing the payment for these bills.  We do this all for you.

Even if you were at-fault and caused your accident, you may have Medpay available as a part of your automobile policy.  If this is the case, your medpay will pay for treatment in our offices for you and any other occupants of your car, for injuries suffered in your accident.  Many people worry about using their Medpay coverage because they fear their policy premiums will increase, this is rarely the case.  If you are not sure what your options are or what coverage you have, our staff is happy to assist you in these respects.

If you have been in a car accident in Raleigh, Durham, Henderson, or the surrounding areas, we invite you to call our offices.  After an accident it is imperative that you receive treatment for these injuries quickly.  Waiting for these injuries to “go away” can allow an injury to get worse and make the injury much more difficult to resolve.  Our doctors and staff are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about this process and what you need to do to get better.  If you are more comfortable talking with someone face-to-face, you are welcome to call us and set an appointment for a free consultation about your injuries and your situation.  We are here to help you, please give us a call and see what Premier Chiropractic can do to help you get your life back.

Dr. Joshua McDowell
Fayetteville Accident & Injury Center