with fast low settlement offers. Beware
They met in a McDonald’s parking lot. The patient was diagnosed as a surgical candidate. The accident victim signed the papers without knowing he was settling his case. It appears that the “settlement” may be binding.
PRACTICE TIP
With your first new PI Patient encounter be sure to ask IF they signed anything from defendant’s insurance company.
Your patient should not even talk with the insurance company until they retain a pro-chiropractic attorney.
| ✤ | Struck by a duck W61.62 | |
| ✤ | Bizarre personal appearance R46.1 | |
| ✤ | Sucked into a jet engine. V97.33XS | |
| ✤ | Burn due to water skis on fire V92.07XA |
PRACTICE TIP
Seriously folks there is a bonanza for strong Trauma Codes that need reviewing.
Sam Collins does the best one-day seminar - that will bring you up to date and significantly improve your diagnoses. You can contact Sam Collins for his next seminar at (800) 562-3335.
Wednesday, December 9 @ 1:00 PM Sharp!
Are you ready
PI ICD-10 Diagnosis Revolution?
Our guest:
Sam Collins, Billing Expert
E-mail johntawlian@shawnsteel.com for telephone number and pass code.
injuries Ploy
What is the best means to challenge the insulting insurance ploy?
Musculoskeletal injuries can be devastating. But the doctor has a moral and professional obligation to PROPERLY document the extent of the patient’s injuries using Trauma Codes to describe the patient’s often life changing event.
For example, few moderate to serious traumas result in low level diagnosis such as tension headaches, cervicalgia and lumbago. If these are accurate diagnosis – your patient will need only a couple weeks of care. Juries will not be sympathetic and give very low awards.
However, what about these so called "Soft Tissue" Issues:
| ✓ | Abrasions | |
| ✓ | Bruises | |
| ✓ | Lacerations | |
| ✓ | Muscle Tears | |
| ✓ | Facet Syndromes | |
| ✓ | Vascular Traumas | |
| ✓ | Disc Herniations | |
| ✓ | Nerve Impingement | |
| ✓ | Traumatic Brain Injuries | |
| ✓ | Burns | |
| ✓ | Spinal Cord Injuries |
|
Healing is unpredictable. Residuals can last years. Increases arthritic changes. |
Never allow an adjuster to diminish the injury to your patient. Don’t fall into the “Soft Tissue only” trap.
I tell adjusters I do not accept transient injuries. That my clients suffer long term life changing problems. Science does not support the fallacy that your patient was not really hurt.
For an excellent handout written by Master Gary Lewkovich DC email johntawlian@shawnsteel.com
by the State Bar
Because a DC wrote a complaint to the State Bar, Mr. Watts was investigated by the Bar and his license was suspended for 60 days.
His PI case settled for $15,000. He kept $5000 and gave the balance of $10,000 to the client. The DC sued Watts in Small Claims. Watts claimed in court that he did not settle the case, nor did he take a fee. He lied to the Court. The Court & DC reported the deceptions to the State Bar. The Bar imposed a 60-day suspension and 2 years’ probation. The Bar stated that he deprived the DC of his fees for more than 2 years and forced him to file a court action.
April 26, 2015
