Florida PIP Fight Could Affect Medical Referral Hotlines

Florida lawmakers are likely to consider whether to curb the use of accident clinic referral hotlines as part of a broader effort to reign in the costs of personal injury protection (PIP) insurance.

Reforming the state’s automobile PIP insurance is already slated to be a top priority when the state Legislature convenes next January.

Current state law, which requires drivers to carry $10,000 in uninsured motorist coverage, is being targeted due to fraudulent and questionable claims that have driven up medical and legal costs.

There is already political support to change the coverage requirement, with Gov. Rick Scott and some insurance groups wanting to remove the mandate.

Lawmakers may target the use of accident clinic referral hotlines, which are used to direct injured drivers to certain medical clinics. Rep. Rick Kriseman (D-St. Petersburg) has a bill that would require the referral lines to disclose any ties they have to medical providers and attorneys.

Kriseman’s bill would also require the hotlines to refer injured drivers to at least four different clinics.

Currently, some of the state’s largest hotlines are associated with one medical clinic chain, including 1-800-ASK-GARY that directs injured drivers to one of its 50 clinics around the state.

“It’s not a referral service if there is only one provider,” said Kriseman.