The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is making it easier for people who have been injured in an automobile accident to get on the path to recovery, without having to pay for health care services out of pocket.
The Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Digital Government and Service NL will be available to the media to discuss new diagnostic and treatment protocols under the Automobile Insurance Act today (Tuesday, June 25) at 10:15 a.m. in the West Block lobby of Confederation Building.
New diagnostic and treatment protocols under the Automobile Insurance Act will allow accident victims to get quicker and more affordable treatment, specific to the most common types of injuries resulting from an automobile accident: sprains, strains and whiplash associated disorders.
The protocols require automobile insurance companies to adopt processes that allow accident victims to seek treatment immediately, from a practitioner of their choice, without advance approval from the insurance company.
Health care practitioners who choose to provide services under the new protocols will bill the insurance company directly for their services. This will eliminate the need for the accident victim to pay up front and wait for reimbursement from the insurance company.
Accident victims will also no longer be required to exhaust their private health insurance coverage before claiming coverage under their automobile insurance policy.
The new diagnostic and treatment protocols will come into effect on December 2, 2024, to allow time for insurance companies and health care practitioners to have processes in place.
The implementation of diagnostic and treatment protocols marks the completion of recommended changes to the Automobile Insurance Act and the Insurance Companies Act following the Public Utilities Board’s Review of Automobile Insurance in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2019. Other changes resulting from the review can be found here.
The Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols Regulations are available in the Newfoundland and Labrador Gazette.
Quote
“The new protocols mean that individuals injured in an auto accident can get faster treatment and may have a faster recovery. Win, win.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL
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Learn more
Independent Review of Automobile Insurance System Complete
Provincial Government Releases Results of Public Consultations on Automobile Insurance
Changes to Automobile Insurance Legislation Provide Better Value for Consumers
Automobile Insurance Legislation Changes Effective in the New Year
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