What Is a Letter of Protection? How LOPs Work With a Chiropractor
After a car accident, you may hear your attorney or a clinic mention a "letter of protection," or LOP. It's a common way for injured people in Texas to get treatment while their injury claim is still open. This guide explains what a letter of protection is, how it works with a chiropractor, what to ask before you sign one, and how Heal 360 Rehab in Arlington works with attorneys.
This is general information, not legal advice. Your attorney is the best person to explain how an LOP affects your specific case.
What is a letter of protection?
A letter of protection is a written agreement, usually sent by your personal injury attorney to a healthcare provider. In it, the attorney's office agrees that the provider's bills will be paid out of any settlement or judgment in your case. In exchange, the provider agrees to treat you now and wait for payment until the case resolves.
LOPs are often used when:
You don't have health insurance, or your plan doesn't cover the care you need
Your PIP coverage has been used up or was rejected on your policy
The at-fault driver's insurance hasn't accepted responsibility yet
You want to avoid large out-of-pocket costs while your claim is pending
How a letter of protection works with a chiropractor
The process usually looks like this:
You hire a personal injury attorney after the accident.
Your attorney sends an LOP to the chiropractic clinic, identifying you, the accident and the case.
You receive care based on your exam and treatment plan, the same as any other patient.
The clinic documents your treatment, including your injuries, progress and the care provided, and sends records and bills to your attorney when you authorize it.
When the case resolves, the provider's bill is paid from the settlement or judgment according to the agreement.
At our clinic, the care itself doesn't change because of how it's being paid for. Treatment decisions are based on your exam and how you respond to care.
What you should ask before signing
LOP terms vary from one attorney and provider to another. Before you sign anything, it's reasonable to ask:
Am I responsible for the bill if my case doesn't recover enough, or doesn't recover at all?
How will the bill be handled if my case settles for less than expected?
Will the clinic send records and bills directly to my attorney?
Can I still use PIP or health insurance for part of my care?
What happens if I change attorneys?
In many arrangements, the patient remains ultimately responsible for the bill even under an LOP. That's one reason to read the agreement carefully and ask your attorney to explain it.
Questions to ask the clinic
Your attorney isn't the only person to ask. It's also reasonable to ask the clinic:
Do you accept letters of protection from my attorney's office?
Will you send my records and bills to my attorney, and how often?
How do you document my progress over the course of care?
If my PIP coverage is still available, will you bill PIP first?
Who at the clinic should my attorney's office contact with questions?
Clear answers up front make the process smoother for you, your attorney and the clinic. They also help you avoid surprises when your case resolves.
Who might benefit from a letter of protection?
An LOP isn't right for everyone. It tends to be most useful when someone else is likely responsible for the accident, your injuries need ongoing care, and other ways to pay for that care are limited or used up. If your injuries are minor and you have good PIP or health insurance coverage, you may not need one. Your attorney can help you weigh the options.
Letter of protection vs. PIP
PIP and LOPs often work together rather than replacing each other. PIP is part of your own auto insurance and can pay medical bills regardless of fault, up to your policy limit. An LOP is an arrangement through your attorney that defers payment until your case resolves. Some patients use PIP first and an LOP after PIP runs out. Our guide to whether PIP covers a chiropractor in Texas explains PIP in more detail.
Why documentation matters in an injury case
Clear records help everyone understand what happened to you and how you recovered. A thorough chiropractic record typically includes:
How the accident happened and when symptoms started
Exam findings, such as range of motion, tenderness and nerve symptoms
Your diagnosis and treatment plan
What care you received at each visit
How your pain and function changed over time
Getting evaluated soon after the accident and following your treatment plan both help create an accurate record. Long gaps in care can make it harder to show how the accident affected you. Our article on what to expect at your first chiropractic visit after a car accident covers the first appointment.
How Heal 360 Rehab works with attorneys
Heal 360 Rehab accepts letters of protection and coordinates with personal injury attorneys across the Dallas–Fort Worth area. With your authorization, we provide records and billing to your attorney's office so they have what they need for your case. If you don't have an attorney yet, you can still start care using PIP or health insurance.
Dr. Don Ringer, D.C. treats car accident injuries including whiplash, neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain and headaches. Treatment may include chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, StemWave acoustic wave therapy, electrical muscle stimulation and guided rehab. See our personal injury chiropractor page for more on how we work with attorneys and PIP.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see a chiropractor without paying upfront after a car accident?
Often, yes. Many patients use PIP, and patients who are working with a personal injury attorney may be able to receive care under a letter of protection, with payment handled when the case resolves. Call our office to talk through your situation.
Do I need a lawyer to get a letter of protection?
A letter of protection is typically issued by a personal injury attorney's office. If you don't have an attorney, you may still be able to use PIP or health insurance for your care.
Am I responsible for the bill if I lose my case?
That depends on the terms of the agreement. In many arrangements, the patient remains responsible for the bill. Read the agreement carefully and ask your attorney to explain your obligations before you sign.
Does a letter of protection change my treatment?
At Heal 360 Rehab, no. Your treatment plan is based on your exam and how you respond to care, not on how the bill will be paid.
Talk to us about your accident care
If you were hurt in a car accident and want to know whether a letter of protection, PIP or another option makes sense for your care, call Heal 360 Rehab at (469) 573-4223. We're at 3939 W Green Oaks Blvd, Ste 100, Arlington, TX 76016, open Monday–Thursday 9 AM–5 PM and Friday 9 AM–12 PM.
This article is general information and isn't legal advice. For advice about your case, talk with a licensed attorney.
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