• 13
  • January
    2012

The Florida House Banking and Insurance Subcommittee has cleared House Bill 119, which would require victims of Florida car accidents to go to the emergency room after an accident, rather than a family doctor. In order to receive personal injury protection (PIP) benefits, an accident victim would have to visit an emergency room or a walk-in-clinic owned by a hospital within 72 hours after the car accident.

Governor Rick Scott supports the bill as a step in the right direction to combat alleged PIP insurance fraud. Opponents of the bill have pointed out that it would not only increase the number of people in already-crowded hospital waiting rooms but would also stop them from seeing doctors who already know about their general health condition and could better understand what care the accident victim should receive.

The sponsor of the bill, Representative Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton), said the 72-hour limit is meant to have people get treatment quickly and not stall the process, but he is willing to consider lengthening the limit.

PIP Coverage in Florida

Florida PIP coverage was signed into law in 1972. The coverage, also known as no-fault insurance, requires insurance companies to cover up to $10,000 of their own insured's medical bills and lost wages after an accident, regardless of fault. PIP coverage generally makes it easier for people to receive compensation for their injuries. It also helps unclog the court system.

Now, lawmakers, insurance companies and other critics have called for PIP reform, stating that there is too much PIP insurance fraud. Florida ranks number one in the country for staged auto accidents and some medical clinics treat accident victims for injuries they do not have. Yet, should the solution be to punish victims by requiring them to go to the hospital rather than a doctor they trust?

The year 2012 should be an interesting year for PIP insurance. There are multiple PIP reform bills in the House and Senate, which could significantly change how accident victims receive compensation for their injuries. We can only hope that the Legislature keeps accident victims in mind when deciding what bills to pass this year. Combating fraud should not mean making it harder for injured people to get the compensation they need after a serious Florida car accident.

Source: Insurance Journal, "Florida Gov. Scott Supports Bill Forcing Accident Victims to Emergency Rooms," James L. Rosica, Jan. 13, 2012