Looking for a no-fault doctor in Brewster, NY, after a car accident? Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation of NY & CT (PMR) treats crash injuries with chiropractic care, physical therapy and pain management, and we accept NY no-fault claims. This page explains how no-fault insurance in NY works, what to do first and what to bring, so you can focus on recovering.
For an overview of crash injuries and care in both states, see our car accident injury treatment page.
When to get urgent care
Emergency care always comes before paperwork. Get to an ER or call 911 if you notice:
- Fainting, unusual drowsiness, repeated vomiting or a headache that keeps getting worse
- Chest pain, shortness of breath or belly pain
- Sudden weakness in an arm or leg, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, or trouble controlling your bladder or bowels
- A bone that looks out of place, or pain so severe you can’t move your neck or stand
How New York no-fault insurance works
New York no-fault coverage, known as personal injury protection (PIP), pays up to $50,000 per person for necessary care and lost earnings, no matter who caused the crash (11 NYCRR 65-1.1). Under that regulation, basic no-fault pays:
- Necessary medical costs
- 80% of lost earnings, up to $2,000 a month for 3 years
- $25 a day for other expenses for 1 year
The same regulation says a policy deductible, if there is one, applies only to the named insured and relatives. Chiropractic care is covered and billed at the Workers’ Compensation Board chiropractic fee schedule (11 NYCRR 68.1), while physical therapy is covered only on referral (NY Insurance Law 5102).
Seeing a no-fault doctor at PMR in Brewster
Your first visit at our Brewster office focuses on how you were hurt and how your body moves now. Expect questions about the crash and your symptoms, followed by an exam of your neck, back and joints that includes strength, reflex and sensation testing. Depending on your injuries, your plan may include chiropractic care, physical therapy in Brewster, massage therapy, acupuncture or pain management, and results vary. Common crash injuries include whiplash and other neck injuries, back sprains, and shoulder or knee pain.
Billing runs through an assignment of benefits. When you sign the NF-AOB, PMR bills the insurer directly at fee-schedule rates (11 NYCRR 65-3.11), and providers can’t charge more than those rates (NY Insurance Law 5108). If you’re looking for a no-fault chiropractor close to home, our Brewster team can explain what your claim needs at your first appointment.
What to do after a car accident in New York
- If any warning sign on the list above applies, go to the ER before dealing with insurance.
- Report the crash to your auto insurer, get a claim number, and write down the adjuster’s name and phone number.
- Within 30 days of the accident, file the NF-2 (the application for benefits) with the insurer (DFS no-fault forms). A late NF-2 needs clear and reasonable justification, so don’t wait.
- See a no-fault doctor promptly so your injuries are evaluated and documented and treatment can start.
- Sign the NF-AOB at your first visit so PMR can bill the insurer directly.
- Get a referral before you start no-fault physical therapy.
- Keep copies of every form and letter, plus notes on your symptoms, missed work and expenses.
If you were on the job when the crash happened, tell us. Workers’ compensation has its own rules, covered on our New York workers’ compensation page.
What to bring to your first appointment
- Your no-fault claim number
- Your insurer’s name and your adjuster’s contact details
- A copy of your completed NF-2, or the date you sent it
- A government-issued photo ID
- Your health insurance card
- Any physical therapy referral you’ve already received
- The police report number and any hospital or imaging records
IMEs, denials and arbitration
Your insurer can require an independent medical examination (IME) as often as reasonably needed, and disputes can go to arbitration (11 NYCRR 65-1.1). An IME can end benefits, so it helps to know how the process works:
- A denial may rest on an IME or peer-review report, and the insurer must provide a copy on request (11 NYCRR 65-3.8).
- The denial is due within 30 days of the IME, and an IME cutoff stops only future benefits, starting on the date the denial is sent (DFS Office of General Counsel opinion).
- After a cutoff, no-fault won’t pay for more chiropractic care or physical therapy.
If the insurer schedules an IME, go to it and tell us the date.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay anything for no-fault care?
Once you sign the NF-AOB, PMR sends its bills straight to the insurer at fee-schedule rates. Under that assignment, the provider can’t seek payment from you unless it revokes the assignment for lack of coverage or because the patient violated a policy condition (DFS no-fault forms). If your policy has a deductible, it applies only to the named insured and relatives. Our insurance and billing team can review your situation.
Do I need a referral?
For physical therapy, yes. New York lets qualified physical therapists treat some patients without a referral for 10 visits or 30 days, whichever comes first (NY Education Law 6731), but no-fault still requires one. Our Brewster team will tell you what your claim needs before physical therapy begins.
What if my no-fault claim is denied?
Read the denial letter closely and call our billing office at (203) 744-8014. If the denial rests on an IME or peer review, you can ask the insurer for a copy of the report. An IME cutoff stops only future benefits, from the date the denial is sent, and disputes can go to arbitration.
What if I was a passenger or pedestrian?
You may still have a no-fault claim even if you weren’t driving. Which insurer handles it can depend on details such as whose vehicle you were in, which vehicle hit you and whether you have your own auto policy. Bring every insurance card and claim number you have, plus the police report number, and our billing team will help you check your coverage.
How soon should I see a no-fault doctor?
As soon as you can after any emergency care. An early visit documents your injuries and starts treatment while symptoms are fresh, and it keeps your paperwork on track, since the NF-2 is due within 30 days of the accident. Even mild stiffness or headaches are worth an evaluation, because crash injuries often feel worse a day or two later.
Schedule your visit in Brewster
Need a car accident doctor in Brewster, NY? PMR of Brewster, NY is at 1620 Brewster Town Center, Brewster, NY 10509. Call (845) 279-1135 or request an appointment online, and let us know your visit is for a no-fault claim. For billing questions, call (203) 744-8014.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Coverage depends on your policy and claim; our billing team can help you check yours.