What Does Oregon PIP Insurance Cover After a Car Accident?

Every auto insurance policy sold in Oregon includes Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. It pays at least $15,000 toward medical treatment after a car accident, including chiropractic care, massage therapy, and rehabilitation, for expenses incurred within two years of the automobile crash.

And it applies no matter who caused the collision. Even when the other driver was clearly at fault, your own policy’s PIP benefits pay for your treatment first, so you can start care right away instead of waiting for insurance companies to determine liability.

Here’s how Oregon PIP works, what it covers, and how to use it to pay for auto accident chiropractic care in Portland, or anywhere in Oregon.

What Is PIP Insurance in Oregon?

PIP stands for Personal Injury Protection. Oregon law requires every auto policy in the state to include it, and it exists so that injured drivers and passengers can get medical care quickly after a motor vehicle accident.

Because PIP is no-fault coverage, you don’t have to prove the other driver caused the accident before using it. You file through your own insurer, and benefits apply whether you were the driver, a passenger, or, in many cases, a pedestrian or cyclist hit by a car.

What Medical Expenses Does Oregon PIP Cover?

Oregon PIP pays for reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to your accident injuries, up to at least $15,000. Some policies carry higher limits.

Covered treatment typically includes:

Chiropractic Care
Medical evaluations and examinations
Massage therapy
Physical rehabilitation
Diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays
Emergency room visits and hospital services
Ambulance services

What Other Benefits May Be Available?

In addition to medical treatment, PIP may also provide other benefits depending on the circumstances. These may include:

Lost Wage Benefits: If injuries prevent you from working for at least 14 days, PIP may provide partial reimbursement for lost income, up to $3,000 per month for up to 52 weeks.
Essential Services Benefits: If your injuries prevent you from performing certain household tasks or childcare, PIP pays up to $30 per day for help, also for up to 52 weeks.
Funeral and survivor benefits: PIP policies include funeral expense coverage within one year up to $5,000, and benefits may be available to surviving family members after a fatal crash.

Does PIP Cover Chiropractic Care and Massage Therapy?

Yes. Chiropractic treatment is one of the most common ways Oregonians use their PIP benefits because car accidents so often injure the spine, joints, muscles, and ligaments. Whiplash is a classic example, with seatbelt strain, back injuries, and headaches close behind.

Oregon PIP also lets you choose your own provider. You don’t need a referral from a medical doctor to see an auto accident chiropractor, and you can start with a chiropractic evaluation as your first stop after a crash.

At our clinic, PIP routinely covers chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, and rehabilitation and corrective exercises when they’re part of a medically necessary auto accident treatment plan. Your provider documents your injuries and treatment plan, and that documentation is what the insurer uses to approve care.

How Long Does Oregon PIP Coverage Last?

PIP covers medical expenses incurred within two years of the accident date, or until you reach your policy’s dollar limit, whichever comes first.

You should immediately report the accident to your insurer, since late reporting can complicate a claim. If you exhaust your PIP benefits and still need care, treatment may continue under other coverage, such as your health insurance or the at-fault driver’s liability coverage.

Our team at Graffeo Accident & Injury Clinic can help walk you through your care options and the next steps you should take with your insurer.

Do I Have To Wait For Insurance Approval to Start Chiropractic Treatment?

No, PIP was designed so accident victims could begin care without waiting months for a claim to settle. Treatment usually starts as soon as you’ve been evaluated, even while liability is still in dispute.

Starting early matters medically, too. Accident injuries often take 24 to 72 hours to show symptoms, so an evaluation soon after the crash, even if you feel fine, lets a chiropractor specializing in auto injuries document them while they’re most apparent and most responsive to treatment.

What If The Insurance Company Questions My Treatment?

Insurance companies may request records, progress reports, or additional documentation regarding treatment. That’s routine, and it does not automatically mean the treatment is inappropriate or unnecessary.

Your provider will routinely document examination findings, diagnoses, treatment plans, and patient progress throughout the recovery process, which is exactly the paper trail the insurance companies may request.

Treatment decisions should generally be based upon your condition and the recommendations of your healthcare providers rather than assumptions regarding claim status.

If concerns arise, it is often helpful to discuss them directly with your healthcare provider and insurance representative. We are happy to help walk you through any concerns you may have at our clinic.

How PIP Billing Works at Our Accident Chiropractic Clinic

Many new patients delay treatment because they are uncertain whether their insurance will cover care. We see it frequently, and unfortunately, waiting for perfect clarity regarding benefits can sometimes delay recovery.

Here’s what using PIP at Graffeo Accident & Injury Clinic looks like:

Call us or walk in. Graffeo Accident & Injury Clinic has provided chiropractic accident care in Oregon since 1979. Our auto accident chiropractors see patients from Gresham, Fairview, Troutdale, Rockwood, and Vancouver, WA.
We verify your PIP coverage. Bring your claim number if you have one. If you don’t, we’ll help you get the claim started.
You get evaluated and begin treatment. We bill your PIP carrier directly, so there’s typically nothing out of pocket while benefits last.

Questions About Your Oregon PIP Benefits?

If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident and are unsure what insurance benefits may be available, call (503) 255-5522 or schedule an evaluation. We’ll explain your benefits, answer common questions regarding accident-related care, and help you get started with a car accident chiropractor near you.

Se habla español, and walk-ins are welcome.