Need Advice on Medical Recovery after an Accident

d-hunterz on 02/03/2018 - 23:27
Last edited 03/03/2018 - 09:03 by 2 other users

Hi all,

Just need some advice on getting back to normal.

Roughly 2 weeks ago I was involved in a car accident, where I was stationary on a red light just behind some other cars. This guy in a mini truck came running and hit me from behind resulting in significant damage to my car. I got his details and reported to my Car insurance, hence getting my car fixed soon.

But after a day or two, I started feeling pain in my lower back and neck so consulted GP and had CT scan done on my spinal Lumbar part where showed a minor disc bulge. Doctor reckons its nothing serious however my lower back pain (more on the bone) is not showing any signs of going away. Due to this visited GP again and she recommends to get MRI done which would cost me $300 out of my pocket also some Physio sessions that I have to pay for as well as the injury is not 6 months old and Medicare won't cover it.

If anyone has gone through the same and can advice me here would be great.

-Should it be covered by TAC (Doctors is not sure if my case will stand as there was no Police involved)

-Any way I can get something back from Medicare to cover me for MRI or physio sessions?

Thanks

• 

  itsdougie on 02/03/2018 - 23:39

  +3

  Whiplash is a very common injury from car accidents. Use the police report number, then when you fill out the TAC paperwork you can write what happened. Get the doctor to write you a letter that your sustained injuries are a direct result of your accident.

  • 

    R-Man on 03/03/2018 - 00:21

    There's currently no police report but perhaps they should file one

    • 

      itsdougie on 03/03/2018 - 02:22

      Police not involved, or no police report? insurance would have requested a police report number

      • 

        R-Man on 03/03/2018 - 11:21

        Why would they have requested a police report? The other driver provided all details. I've never been asked for police report by insurance, except when it was a hit and run. I'm also in Victoria.

      • 

        AlanI on 03/03/2018 - 17:26

        insurance would have requested a police report number

        Police in most states won't attend a car accident unless someone didn't share their details or someone was hurt (clearly someone was hurt in this instance, but it didn't become apparent till later, so they wouldn't have attended).

    • 

      d-hunterz on 03/03/2018 - 21:31

      I am waiting for report from my GP

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  gummibear on 03/03/2018 - 00:03

  Medicare won't cover any of that.
  Contact the other persons insurer and ask them the process for re-reimbursement of your expenses

  • 

    d-hunterz on 03/03/2018 - 21:33

    I do not have another person's insurance details, as it was a company truck or something and the driver at that time did not know about the insurer.

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  Azrael169 on 03/03/2018 - 02:38

  +3

  This is 100% covered by your compulsory third party (CTP), or registration depending on the state you are in.

  First you need to file a police report
  Second, hopefully your doctor wrote down in the notes it was due to the car accident
  Phone whoever runs the compulsory third party in your state and lodge a claim, get a claim number
  Get your GP to refer you to a physio via a letter (seeing physio dosnt usually require a letter so GP's usually dont write a letter) and state the claim number. Bang phsyio bills taken care off. When booking in for MRI give claim number and it will be paid as well.

  The compulsory third party will reimburse you for your doctor visits that you have already paid, your scan, pay for future scans and physio as per GP's recommendation. You may even be able to claim back the cost of medication. It works just like a Workers Compensation claim.

  Sorry I cant be more specific but the organisation that you need to claim through changes on a state by state basis. In WA its the Insurance Commission of WA. In NSW/QLD it would be the insurance provider CTP is purchased it through (or the one the other person purchased it through eg NRMA)

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  garetz on 03/03/2018 - 04:36

  it sounds like you are relatively young, a minor disc bulge can become worse with time.

  • 

    d-hunterz on 03/03/2018 - 21:30

    Exactly! really concerned about this. Looking for some exercise to get better.

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  TheBilly on 03/03/2018 - 06:25

  I dont know the process but as Azrael has said this is covered by CTP (Compulsory Third Party) in NSW. There are many solicitors that specialise in this process, that can give free advice as the system is extremely complicated to navigate. However I had a mate who from a motorbike accident had a similar problem, my advice is to jist start spending the money out of your pocket and get your treatment at whatever cost and concurrently start chasing your reimbursements. You will never get approval before you spend. He eventually got his reimbursements and he healed up as he started regular treatment. Just keep accurate records in a diary with reciepts.

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  Baysew on 03/03/2018 - 09:00

  +1

  From the TAC website -

  What to do after an accident
  How TAC can help you

  The first thing you need to do is lodge a claim with the TAC. It doesn't matter whose fault the accident was, the TAC is here to help you after an accident.

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  AlanI on 03/03/2018 - 17:28

  You're in Victoria, so you need to talk to the TAC: How to lodge a claim with the TAC

  You'll need to report the accident to the police first and get a report number.

  • 

    d-hunterz on 03/03/2018 - 21:29

    I went to the police station they need my GP stating that I have an injury, however, the GP is not 100% if the disc bulge is due to the accident.

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  AusGP on 03/03/2018 - 20:52

  I'm a GP:
  - Go to your doctor and get a TAC certificate to document your injuries. There should be no issues as long as they documented in their original notes about the cause of pain being due to a motor vehicle accident (in the unlikely event this is challenged).
  - Submit your TAC claim
  - Once you have a claim number it should be pretty easy to access MRI or physio and have this reimbursed to you later

  Having said all this, depending on the severity, the disc bulge may or may not even be related to the accident.

  Edit: Victoria TAC is one of the easier insurance people out there to deal with.

  • 

    d-hunterz on 03/03/2018 - 21:27

    Thanks so much! My disc bulge is mild but I only felt it right after the accident. So to me, it's hard to believe that it is not caused by the accident.Now every time I sit down it makes me uncomfortable, I feel heated up around the lower backbone. However, accorinding to my research to lodge a claim with TAC I need to report the case to police which I am happy to do. Just wondering whether my GP notes will be enough to show that I have an injury or I have to go through MRI first as an evidence(that is if I have something significant in MRI)

    • 

      AusGP on 03/03/2018 - 21:59

      The best person to consult with is your GP whom knows your history well and also what they found on examining you.

      Your pain may or may not be related to the disc bulge.

      You might benefit from physio before going for an MRI but again your GP is the best person to make that assessment.

      There is a formal TAC certificate that I give patients documenting their injuries / symptoms / examination findings. They seem to sort out the rest with TAC :)

      Edit: The reason I say disc bulges may not be the cause of pain is if you MRI every fit person you may find some asymptomatic minor disc bulges.

      • 

        d-hunterz on 04/03/2018 - 10:24

        Thanks so much, I will just get the MRI done as I got told TAC will cover costs only above $600 and also I do not want to have any regrets later on as my GP has already given me a referral letter for MRI, on the letter she is questioning the MRI examiner if its myelopathy?