New PIP law: have insurance companies limited your coverage?

Under the new PIP law, an injured person must seek medical care for injuries resulting from an auto accident within 14 days of the accident. Otherwise no PIP benefits will be paid.

In addition, if it is determined that the injury is not an emergency medical condition, your PIP benefits are reduced to $2,500.00.

Under the new PIP law, are you receiving the insurance protection you expect?

“Emergency medical condition” means a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity, which may include severe pain, such that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected to result in any of the following:

(a) Serious jeopardy to patient health.

(b) Serious impairment to bodily functions.

(c) Serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part.

While it is unclear what kinds of injuries would constitute an “emergency medical condition,” the insurance companies have successfully lobbied the legislature in order to severly limit consumer rights.