Preparing For A PIP Exam
What is a PIP exam? A PIP exam is a medical appointment scheduled by the auto insurance carrier that is paying your medical bills. From time to time, the insurance carrier wants to make sure that the medical treatment they are paying for is actually helping you. If it is not, they no longer wish to pay for it.
Who pays for the exam? The auto insurance carrier paying your medical bills will pay for the exam. Because they are paying, they will also select the doctor that they want to examine you. It is to go without saying that the insurance carrier has a number of different doctors available to them that perform this type of exam for a price. It is called an "independent medical exam" or "IME". However, it is not always independent.
Is this doctor going to treat me? No. This doctor is not your friend. This doctor is hired to determine if the insurance carrier should keep allowing you to obtain medical treatment that they will pay for. This doctor will make the determination and send a report to the insurance carrier who hired the doctor.
Should I tell the doctor where I have pain? Absolutely. You want to make sure that the doctor has a full picture of where you are having pain and how often. The doctor may ask if certain things relieve the pain, such as medication or ice. You should inform the doctor of every area that you have pain that is related to your accident, even if you do not have pain in that area every day.
Should I tell the doctor about physical limitations I have now? Absolutely. If you have trouble doing your job, cleaning your house, performing certain activities, etc., you should speak up. If you do not tell the doctor what your complaints are, the doctor may think that you are fine and able to do everything you did prior to the accident. This may result in the doctor telling the insurance carrier that you are better and no longer need treatment.
Do I need to be honest? Absolutely. You want to always tell the truth. There is no need to exaggerate your pain or limitations. If you are honest with the doctor, he will see that and hopefully be honest with you.
What if the doctor is rude? There are many times in life that we encounter rude people. Unlike other events, you do not want to react. This could just be the doctor's personality. This also could be the way the doctor makes you react and appear as obnoxious or rude yourself. Keep your cool and be patient and tolerant.
Who pays for the exam? The auto insurance carrier paying your medical bills will pay for the exam. Because they are paying, they will also select the doctor that they want to examine you. It is to go without saying that the insurance carrier has a number of different doctors available to them that perform this type of exam for a price. It is called an "independent medical exam" or "IME". However, it is not always independent.
Is this doctor going to treat me? No. This doctor is not your friend. This doctor is hired to determine if the insurance carrier should keep allowing you to obtain medical treatment that they will pay for. This doctor will make the determination and send a report to the insurance carrier who hired the doctor.
Should I tell the doctor where I have pain? Absolutely. You want to make sure that the doctor has a full picture of where you are having pain and how often. The doctor may ask if certain things relieve the pain, such as medication or ice. You should inform the doctor of every area that you have pain that is related to your accident, even if you do not have pain in that area every day.
Should I tell the doctor about physical limitations I have now? Absolutely. If you have trouble doing your job, cleaning your house, performing certain activities, etc., you should speak up. If you do not tell the doctor what your complaints are, the doctor may think that you are fine and able to do everything you did prior to the accident. This may result in the doctor telling the insurance carrier that you are better and no longer need treatment.
Do I need to be honest? Absolutely. You want to always tell the truth. There is no need to exaggerate your pain or limitations. If you are honest with the doctor, he will see that and hopefully be honest with you.
What if the doctor is rude? There are many times in life that we encounter rude people. Unlike other events, you do not want to react. This could just be the doctor's personality. This also could be the way the doctor makes you react and appear as obnoxious or rude yourself. Keep your cool and be patient and tolerant.
