Letter of Protection (LOP) for Chiropractic Care in Oregon: How It Works After a Car Accident
A letter of protection (LOP) is an agreement, usually arranged through your personal injury attorney, under which the clinic is paid from your settlement. In Oregon, an LOP sits alongside Personal Injury Protection (PIP). PIP is the no-fault coverage in your own auto policy. It pays reasonable and necessary medical expenses, including chiropractic care, regardless of who caused the crash. ProCare Chiropractic accepts LOP cases and helps with PIP claims. The terms of any LOP are a legal matter for your attorney. This article is general information, not legal advice.
What is a letter of protection (LOP)?
An LOP is an agreement, usually made through your attorney, that the clinic will be paid from your personal injury settlement. ProCare accepts LOP cases and works with personal injury attorneys. See the personal injury chiropractor page for details.
LOP terms vary. Who signs the agreement, what it covers and what happens if the case does not settle all depend on your agreement. Your attorney is the right person to explain them. The questions later in this guide can help you start that conversation.
How does an LOP fit with Oregon PIP?
PIP and a personal injury claim are separate processes. PIP is your own coverage. An LOP belongs to the personal injury claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance, because the clinic is paid from that settlement.
| Oregon PIP | Personal injury claim (where an LOP applies) | |
|---|---|---|
| Whose insurance | Your own auto policy | The at-fault driver’s insurance |
| Fault | Pays regardless of fault | Brought against the party at fault |
| What it covers | Reasonable and necessary medical expenses, including chiropractic care | Can include pain and suffering and future medical needs |
| Limits | At least $15,000 per person, and many policies carry higher limits. Benefits are usually available for up to two years from the accident date (check your policy). | Varies by case; ask your attorney |
Many patients use both. PIP pays during active treatment, and a personal injury claim can follow. Once your PIP limits are exhausted, you may pursue additional compensation through that claim. Ask your attorney and your insurer how a specific bill will be split between PIP and an LOP. For more on PIP benefits, see Oregon PIP Insurance Explained.
Do you need a lawyer to start chiropractic care after a crash?
No. You can start care right away. Oregon PIP covers reasonable and necessary medical care after a car accident regardless of fault.
If you do not have an attorney, ProCare staff explain how PIP and auto insurance work. If you hire one, ProCare can work with them directly. An LOP is one option your attorney may arrange.
What does ProCare do in LOP and personal injury cases?
ProCare:
- Accepts LOP cases and works with personal injury attorneys.
- Bills auto insurance and helps with Oregon PIP claims.
- Checks your coverage before treatment.
- Builds a treatment plan after your first exam, then records your symptoms, findings and progress at each visit.
- Shares records and billing information with your attorney, with your permission.
- Works with your insurer and attorney on billing and records.
Clear records help your insurer or attorney understand your injuries and treatment. They do not guarantee claim approval or any particular outcome.
What happens at the first visit?
The first visit is a consultation and a physical exam. ProCare does not take X-rays or MRIs in-house. If the exam calls for imaging, your chiropractor refers you out. Details are on the first visit and imaging referral page.
Consultation and exam
Your chiropractor asks how you were injured, where it hurts and what makes the pain better or worse. They also ask about your health history. The exam then checks your posture, range of motion, muscles and reflexes.
Why an X-ray or MRI is a referral
If the exam findings point to a possible fracture, disc injury or nerve problem, your chiropractor refers you for an X-ray or MRI. They then review the results with you. You do not need imaging before your first visit.
Your treatment plan
After the exam, your chiropractor explains what is causing the pain and gives you a plan. The plan can include adjustments, rehab and massage. The first visit takes longer than a regular visit, and the clinic tells you how much time to plan when you book. Walk-ins are not available.
What should you bring to your first visit?
- Photo ID and insurance card
- Claim number, if you have one
- Accident or incident details
- A list of medicines and past injuries
- Any earlier X-rays, MRIs or doctor notes
ProCare’s first-visit checklist does not mention LOP paperwork. If an attorney is handling your case, ask them what the clinic will need for the LOP.
What should you ask your attorney before an LOP is signed?
LOP terms vary, so take these questions to your attorney instead of relying on general information:
- Who signs the LOP, and what does it cover?
- What happens to the chiropractic bill if the case does not settle, or if it settles for less than the bills?
- How will PIP payments and any LOP balance be coordinated?
- Do the X-ray or MRI providers I may be referred to need their own arrangement?
- Which records will you request from the clinic, and when?
Why do early care and good records matter?
ProCare recommends starting care as soon as possible after an accident. Some injuries, such as whiplash, may not hurt right away. An early exam also creates a clear record of your injuries.
Go to your appointments consistently, and keep your bills, treatment notes and symptom logs. These records help your insurer or attorney understand your injuries and the care you received.
How do you book at a ProCare clinic?
ProCare has four clinics in Oregon: Portland, Keizer, Sherwood and Hillsboro. All four are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. To book, use the online booking form:
- Leave your name and phone number.
- Select “Car accident” as the injury type.
- Choose your clinic.
- The clinic calls you back to confirm a time.
Frequently asked questions
Does Oregon PIP cover the first chiropractic visit after a car accident?
Yes. In Oregon, PIP covers reasonable and necessary medical care after a car accident, and that includes the first chiropractic visit. ProCare staff help with the claim and check your coverage before treatment.
Which types of accidents does ProCare treat in personal injury cases?
ProCare treats injuries from car, truck and motorcycle accidents. It also treats pedestrian and bicycle accidents, rideshare accidents, slip and fall injuries, and other injuries where another party is at fault.
