Michigan's New No-Fault Reform Legislation
Michigan's auto no-fault system was overhauled by reform legislation that fundamentally changed the benefits available to people injured in motor vehicle crashes. For decades, Michigan was the only state that guaranteed unlimited lifetime medical benefits to every auto accident victim. That guarantee is gone.
Coverage Is Now a Choice
Instead of requiring unlimited lifetime personal injury protection (PIP) medical benefits, the law now allows drivers to select from a range of coverage levels. Choosing a lower level lowers the premium — but it also caps the medical benefits available if you or a family member suffers a serious injury.
The consequences of that choice only become clear after a crash. A traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury can require surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitation and around-the-clock attendant care. Those costs can consume a reduced coverage limit in a matter of months, leaving the injured person and their family responsible for the balance.
The Medical Fee Schedule
The reforms also imposed a fee schedule that limits how much medical providers can be reimbursed for treating auto accident injuries. Providers who specialize in long-term care for catastrophically injured patients have been affected most severely, and some have reduced services or stopped accepting no-fault patients altogether. That makes it harder for injured people to obtain the care they were promised.
Disputes Are Common
The reformed statute is long and complicated, and insurance companies do not always apply it correctly. Benefits are denied, claims are underpaid, and injured people are told that treatment their doctors have prescribed is not covered. Many of those denials can be successfully challenged.
Beyond first-party no-fault benefits, you may also have a claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering, excess wage loss and other damages that PIP benefits do not cover.
Protect Your Rights
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Michigan, do not assume your insurer's initial position is the final word. An experienced attorney can review your policy, identify every benefit you are owed, and pursue the full compensation available to you. We handle these cases on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay no legal fees unless we recover for you.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney at Logeman & Iafrate, P.C. for advice regarding your individual situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to what matters most about your case and how we work.
What did Michigan's no-fault reform legislation change?
The reform legislation ended mandatory unlimited lifetime personal injury protection (PIP) medical coverage and replaced it with a menu of coverage levels drivers may select. It also introduced a medical fee schedule limiting what providers can be paid for treating auto accident injuries.
What PIP coverage levels can I choose in Michigan?
Drivers may now select from several PIP medical coverage options rather than being required to carry unlimited lifetime benefits. Lower coverage levels reduce premiums but also limit the medical benefits available if you are seriously injured in a crash.
Should I still purchase unlimited PIP coverage?
Catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries can require a lifetime of medical care that quickly exhausts lower coverage limits. Many injury victims who selected reduced coverage discover their benefits run out while they still need treatment.
How does the medical fee schedule affect my care?
The fee schedule caps what medical providers may be reimbursed for auto injury treatment. Some providers, particularly those offering long-term attendant care and rehabilitation, have reduced services or stopped accepting auto no-fault patients as a result.
How can an attorney help with a no-fault claim after the reforms?
The reformed statute is complex, and insurers frequently deny or underpay benefits that are legitimately owed. An experienced Michigan no-fault attorney can determine what benefits you are entitled to, challenge improper denials, and pursue additional recovery from an at-fault driver.
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