A patient advocate: You have the right to hire your own case manager

An attorney explains that case managers appointed from insurance companies are not true patient advocates

When you’re injured in a car accident in Michigan, it’s important to remember that your auto insurance company does not have your best interests in mind. Insurance adjusters will try their best to make sure an insurance company pays the least possible — if anything — to a car accident victim. This includes pushing for their own case managers to act as your “patient advocate.”

For those of you unfamiliar with case managers, these are professionals who manage the medical recovery and treatment of very injured auto accident victims. They are usually used when people have closed-head injuries or very serious personal injuries.

Michigan Auto Law attorneys want you to know that you have the right to hire your own case manager — and the insurance company has to pay for it.

When a car insurance company says it wishes to appoint a case manager, this means the insurance company believes it’s reasonable and necessary to have one. So according to Michigan auto law, you can hire your own. And you do not have to agree to have a case manager in the exam room with you.

Why it’s always in your best interest to select your own case manager

A case manager from an insurance company will not fully advocate for you and your medical treatment, because he or she has the insurance company’s bottom line in mind. For example, case managers that work for insurance companies are paid to reduce the number of hours for attendant care (nursing services). Many will go into the exam room, talk with your physician and reduce the prescription. In turn, you get less help and the insurance company’s costs are reduced.

A good auto accident attorney can help you find a local case manager that’s truly a patient advocate.

If your insurance company is trying to appoint you a case manager, it’s best to speak with an attorney to protect your legal rights throughout the recovery process. You want to be sure you have the best patient advocate available.

Call (800)-968-1001 or message michigan auto law  Their auto accident attorneys can answer all of your questions, and the call is free.