Michigan’s auto no-fault reform bill went into effect last July and the consequences are quickly being felt among accident victims. After the latest statutory reforms from the revised law introduced a new medical fee schedule, the causal effect has been a reduction of how much insurance companies are required to reimburse medical providers for certain services.

Meanwhile, advocates for survivors of catastrophic auto crashes have been saying for months that the changes would cut off their access to medical services they need to survive.

Now, slightly more than two months after the updated medical fee schedules have gone into effect, many survivors have been speaking out about how they are, in many cases, struggling to access even minimal care.

“I was struck by a pickup truck backing out of a driveway… the hitch went through my right-lower extremity, and… severely broke the leg in multiple places,” Paul Becker told a Michigan Fox TV affiliate, who was seriously injured in a July 2018 crash. “I think I’ve had nine surgeries in total, and still trying to recover from the mobility aspect.”

Fox reported Becker hadn’t had any major issues getting insurance to cover the medical services he’s needed during his recovery, that is until this past July.

“Eight o’clock in the evening, they left a message stating that, at that time, anything … from now on will no longer be covered, and it was just out of the blue, boom, you’re no longer covered for anything,” Becker explained.

“I feel like with this last six weeks without any physical therapy, I’ve literally gone backwards.”

Under the new law, any medical service not already covered under federal Medicare law, which includes in-home caregivers and transportation to medical services, will now only be reimbursed by insurance companies at 55 percent of what they were back in 2019. The law also caps the number of hours family members can provide care to just 56 hours a week, according to legal analysis.

Tom Judd, president of the Michigan Brain Injury Providers Council, said in a statement about the legal revisions, “There’s been a lot of delays, and denials, and payments on a whole, and not just the providers that we’ve been talking about for the past few months, in terms of residential and attendant care providers, but outpatient therapists are getting denied or slashed in reimbursement.”

Judd added the changes have thrown Michigan’s post-acute medical care industry into turmoil.

“Hurdles that they did not have to jump through before July 1, they’re having to jump through now, and they’re not getting any payment…. and so, the crisis is kind of expanding to places that we didn’t really think that they would be going.”

According to the Michigan Brain Injury Provider Council, more than 700 patients have already lost access to medical care, since the changes took effect in July.

At least 41 Michigan-based care companies have had to either close their doors completely or discharge patients receiving benefits via no-fault auto insurance. The MBIPC says this has already put at least 1,500 healthcare workers out of a job.

Under the new law, insurance companies still have to provide lifetime medical coverage for those who had or have unlimited personal injury protection (PIP) policies. But advocates say the changes are squeezing qualified medical professionals out of Michigan’s post-acute care industry, making quality providers scarce.

If you have been hurt in an auto accident and are concerned your coverage will not provide adequate protection for your medical needs, contact the law office of Turner and Turner for a free consultation to ensure your rights are adequately protected.

Our office recommends if you are a victim of an auto accident, or other personal injuries as a result of someone’s negligence, call as soon as you’re able; your rights can be affected. There are many things your attorney will undertake to ensure your right to compensation and recovery remains safeguarded.

Insurance companies immediately work to reduce what they owe. We know from experience that insurers immediately preserve evidence, take statements, and research victims and witnesses.

Often, insurance representatives, referred to as adjusters, will fight the insurance company’s liability by saying the victim has some culpability. This ploy is to assert the victim owns some portion of fault, thus reducing what is owed, or; insurance companies often argue the injury was actually the result of a pre-existing condition.

Having a personal injury lawyer will even the playing field and help maximize the value of an injury claim. Sometimes a victim cannot get to their doctor right away, or may not know which doctor to see. Indecision may cause a time gap between the crash and medical care. This is important to avoid: Any gap between a crash and medical care is an excuse for the insurance company to not pay what they rightfully owe.

Personal Injury attorneys and their staff spend much of their time talking with doctors and medical providers about the care received by clients. A committed attorney will go the extra mile to make themselves available to you via phone or email. For Turner and Turner, this is the beginning of the process. We offer a free case evaluation to all new clients.

Our attorneys will answer your questions and respond to your concerns promptly, and make understanding the legal process quick and easy for those unfamiliar with the process. A great attorney brings their attitude of commitment to your relationship with them right into the courtroom. We are professionals who work with you to fight for the best results possible.

If you have been the victim of an accident, whether auto, motorcycle or other motorized vehicles, don’t let your rights slip away because of indecision or an inability to navigate the thicket of insurance regulations.

Call Turner and Turner at (248) 355-1727 for a free case evaluation and consultation to preserve your rights to fair and timely compensation.

• Avoid storms.  Many dogs and cats fear thunder and will become agitated or worse, try to escape.
• Be sure to stop often for water and food.  Check the pet carrier and adjust the bedding too.
• Don’t take your pet if the weather is too hot or too cold.  They just won’t enjoy it.
• Think about where you’re going.  Is it to a biker rally or a fun cruising event?  Is your dog sociable?  If so, then it’s a great mix.  If your animal is shy or anxious, events with lots of people will be less fun for them, they might prefer a comfortable ride in the country with their favorite owner alone.
• Take a trial run.  Before you take your pet on a long day’s adventure, drive for an hour and see if they enjoy it.  Do they seem to be stimulated by the sights and enjoy the time with you or do they appear listless or unhappy?  Let their behavior guide you and not just your desire to be with them.

Are the giant mounds of ice turning to slush?  If so, it’s time to take the motorcycle out of the garage, get it spring ready (checking fuel systems, tires and battery) and think about where to take a great ride.  Whether you drive a car or motorcycle, it’s time to venture outside and see some beautiful vistas on the way.

Plan a local drive that offers scenery, fun stops and socializing with friends or make bigger plans for a road trip.  

One of the great scenic byways, perfect for a motorcycle ride is the Tunnel of Trees Road, which is a section of M-119.  Start your journey at Harbor Springs (north of Petoskey) and take Route 119 north all along the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan, until you get to Cross Village.

The Tunnel of Trees is gorgeous in spring with the appearance of colorful trillium on the forest floor.  As you ride along, a lovely forest will surround you, making a canopy of trees, while you can still view Lake Michigan from the high bluff on the other side of the road. There are some great twists and curves (at Devil’s Elbow and Horseshoe Bend).

There are plenty of places to stop:  country stores, a glass blowing workshop, artisanal bakeries and evidence of old Native American housing and even forts.

Enjoy a sunset and a relaxing meal at Cross Village and head back south!

Photo Source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2009-0619-UP022-TunnelofTrees.jpg