PIP stands for personal injury protection. PIP is a mandatory component of auto insurance policies that covers medical treatments for injuries resulting from auto accidents. In New Jersey, all motorists are required to carry a minimum of $15,000 PIP coverage up to a maximum of $250,000. However, if a patient has a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, these limits may not be applicable pursuant to court settlements. Beyond liability insurance coverage paid by the liable party’s insurance company, PIP insurance covers funeral expenses, home health care, and physical therapy. While coverage mandates may vary by state, a New Jersey motorist’s PIP coverage may even be applicable if they are injured by another vehicle as a passenger or pedestrian. If a motorist has health insurance in addition to auto insurance, they have the option to choose between PIP Primary and PIP Secondary coverage. Motorists without adequate health insurance may only choose PIP Primary coverage.

For motorists with PIP Primary coverage, the insurer is primarily responsible for paying for the cost of medical treatments resulting from an auto accident after the deductible is satisfied. For motorists with PIP Secondary coverage, their auto insurance policy only covers health care expenditures beyond the scope of their health insurance coverage after all deductibles have been satisfied. Since annual deductibles continue to rise for most health insurance policies while limiting provider networks and the types of treatments that are covered, injured patients with PIP Secondary coverage typically fare worse. The modest cost savings on auto insurance premiums are almost always superseded by the cost of insurance deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses following an accident. Based on his experience working with personal injury attorneys and advocating on behalf of patients suffering from TMDs, Dr. Federman strongly recommends all motorists carry adequate PIP coverage above the state minimum and elect PIP Primary coverage.

TMJ injuries may result from whiplash or facial trauma in an auto accident, including hyperflexion or hyperextension. Following a traumatic injury, TMDs may manifest in the form of joint pain, ear pain, chronic headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, or even difficulty opening and closing the mouth. Patients who continue to suffer long-term pain following facial trauma may not even be aware of the root cause of their impairments.

Please contact our office immediately if you believe that you have experienced facial trauma or have TMJ symptoms resulting from facial trauma. If a patient needs TMJ treatment, physical therapy, or surgery as the result of an accidental injury resulting from the negligence of another person or party, personal injury protection (PIP) insurance or workers compensation will likely cover most or all of the cost of treatment. Dr. Federman and his associates have a terrific relationship with the most prominent injury lawyers in the community, along with a thorough understanding of the laws regulating insurance payouts. We will work diligently on behalf of all injury patients to ensure that cost will not be a barrier to receiving TMJ treatments and all necessary rehabilitative care.

During the initial evaluation, Dr. Federman and his staff will evaluate the patient’s overall condition, lifestyle choices, and goals for long-term treatment and recovery. Patients should not hesitate to ask questions. This step is crucial in determining whether or not the patient is a candidate for TMJ treatment in particular. Upon evaluating the patient and reviewing all medical records, he will develop a multifaceted treatment plan tailored to each individual patient.

To maximize the likelihood of a successful treatment, it is important for patients to be fully committed to following the treatment plan and lifestyle modifications recommended by our doctor. With personalized care to suit the needs of each TMJ patient, our primary goal is to ameliorate our patients’ quality of life through the most minimally invasive treatment possible. If you are interested in learning more about our TMJ treatments, please contact Dr. Federman’s office to schedule a consultation.