Letter of protection chiropractic Kent WA — if you were injured in a car accident and don’t know how to pay for the care you need, a Letter of Protection may be the answer. At Palmer Chiropractic in Kent, WA, Dr. Brian J. Bussard has worked with personal injury patients and their attorneys under Letters of Protection for over 27 years.

If you don’t have health insurance — or your health insurance won’t cover accident-related injuries — you may be wondering how you are going to pay for the chiropractic care you need while your personal injury case is pending. The answer for many auto accident patients in Kent and throughout South King County is a Letter of Protection.

Bottom line: A Letter of Protection allows you to receive chiropractic care now and pay for it later — out of your personal injury settlement proceeds. No upfront payment. No insurance required.

What Is a Letter of Protection?

A Letter of Protection — commonly called an LOP — is a written agreement between your personal injury attorney, your healthcare provider, and you. It allows you to receive medical treatment now and pay for it later, out of the proceeds of your personal injury settlement or verdict.

In simple terms, a Letter of Protection says: “I, the patient, authorize my healthcare provider to treat me now. My attorney agrees that when my case settles, the medical bills will be paid directly from the settlement proceeds before I receive my portion.”

This allows injured patients to get the chiropractic care, spinal decompression, laser therapy, and other treatments they need immediately — without waiting for insurance approval or paying out of pocket.

How Does a Letter of Protection Work in Washington State?

The process is straightforward:

Step 1 — You Are Injured in a Car Accident

You need chiropractic care but have concerns about how to pay for treatment while your personal injury case is pending.

Step 2 — Your Attorney Issues a Letter of Protection

Your personal injury attorney sends a formal letter to Palmer Chiropractic guaranteeing that your medical bills will be paid from your settlement proceeds.

Step 3 — You Receive Treatment

Dr. Bussard treats you immediately without requiring upfront payment or insurance approval. Your treatment is documented thoroughly to support your personal injury claim.

Step 4 — Your Case Settles

When your personal injury case resolves, your attorney pays Palmer Chiropractic directly from the settlement funds before distributing the remainder to you.

Why a Letter of Protection Benefits Auto Accident Patients

You get treatment immediately. Delaying chiropractic care after a car accident allows injuries to worsen and scar tissue to develop. Getting treated immediately produces better outcomes and stronger documentation for your case.
Your treatment is fully documented. Every visit to Palmer Chiropractic is meticulously documented. Dr. Bussard’s clinical notes become powerful evidence in your personal injury case.
You don’t pay out of pocket. With an LOP in place, you receive the care you need without depleting your savings or going into debt while your case is pending.
It strengthens your personal injury claim. Consistent chiropractic treatment backed by thorough clinical documentation demonstrates that your injuries were real, serious, and required professional medical care.
It shows the true value of your injuries. The cost of your medical treatment is a key factor in calculating your personal injury settlement. Thorough chiropractic care ensures the full extent of your injuries is captured and valued appropriately.

What Injuries Does Palmer Chiropractic Treat Under a Letter of Protection?

Dr. Bussard treats the full range of auto accident injuries under Letters of Protection including:

Whiplash and cervical spine injuries — the most common auto accident injury
Lumbar disc herniations — rear-end and T-bone collisions commonly cause disc injuries
Soft tissue injuries — muscle strains, ligament sprains, and contusions
Sciatica — nerve compression causing shooting leg pain after lumbar disc injury
Headaches and concussion-related symptoms — cervicogenic headaches from whiplash
Shoulder injuries — from bracing for impact or seatbelt forces
Thoracic spine injuries — mid-back pain from seatbelt forces

How Chiropractic Documentation Supports Your Personal Injury Case

One of the most valuable things Dr. Bussard provides auto accident patients — beyond exceptional clinical care — is thorough, defensible medical documentation. This includes:

✅ Detailed narrative of how the accident occurred

✅ Objective clinical findings at every visit

✅ Specific diagnosis codes linked to injury mechanism

✅ Final narrative report summarizing outcomes

✅ Impairment rating if applicable

✅ Available for deposition or testimony

Frequently Asked Questions About Letters of Protection

Do I need an attorney to use a Letter of Protection?

Yes. A Letter of Protection is issued by your personal injury attorney on your behalf. If you don’t have an attorney, Dr. Bussard can refer you to experienced personal injury attorneys in the Kent and King County area who handle auto accident cases.

What if my case doesn’t settle?

This is a risk that both you and your provider take with an LOP. However, the vast majority of personal injury cases in Washington State settle before trial. Dr. Bussard evaluates each situation individually before agreeing to treat under an LOP.

Can I use a Letter of Protection if I have PIP insurance?

Washington State requires auto insurance policies to offer Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. If you have PIP, it should be used first to cover your chiropractic care. An LOP typically covers treatment costs that exceed your PIP limits or that PIP does not cover.

Does a Letter of Protection affect my settlement amount?

Your medical bills are paid from your settlement, so higher medical costs do reduce your net recovery. However, thorough treatment and documentation typically results in a higher overall settlement that more than offsets the cost of care.

How long does treatment under a Letter of Protection last?

Treatment continues as long as it is medically necessary. Dr. Bussard treats you until you reach maximum medical improvement — the point at which further treatment is unlikely to produce additional improvement.

What if the insurance company disputes my treatment?

Dr. Bussard’s thorough documentation is specifically designed to withstand scrutiny from insurance company defense teams. His clinical notes clearly establish the medical necessity of every treatment provided.

Injured in an Auto Accident in Kent, WA?

Don’t let the inability to pay for treatment stop you from getting the care you need. Dr. Brian J. Bussard accepts Letters of Protection and has worked with personal injury attorneys throughout King County for over 27 years.

📞 (253) 854-7700 Book Online