This guide discusses the benefit called “attendant care” - what it is, what kind of activities it includes, and how to get the insurance company to pay it.
What is attendant care?
Attendant care is a service provided to a person who is injured. Attendant care is similar to nursing care. Attendant care includes activities such as helping the injured person get dressed, bathe, transfer on/off the toilet, and administering medications.
Attendant care also includes supervision time, simply being with the injured person to provide supervision so that they do not do something they shouldn't. Many people who suffer traumatic brain injuries require a lot of supervision-type attendant care.
Attendant care can be provided by professionals. Often, however, attendant care is provided by family members who live with the injured person. This includes a spouse, sibling, son, daughter, or parent.
Attendant care is an extraordinary benefit: it often allows the injured person to be cared for by a loved one rather than being forced to live in an institution.
Who pays for attendant care?
Attendant care is required under Michigan law in both car accident and workers compensation cases. That is to say, attendant care benefits are included in every single auto and workers compensation insurance policy sold in the state of Michigan. The auto or workers compensation insurance company must pay the attendant care benefits.
How much must the insurance company pay?
The insurance company must pay the person providing the attendant care benefits an hourly wage. The benefit amount is calculated by the number of attendant hours performed per day times a reasonable hourly rate.
Is a doctor’s note required for the insurance company to pay attendant care?
Almost all insurance companies require a doctor's note verifying the number of hours of attendant care needed. This is not specifically mandated by law. However, I strongly recommend getting a doctor's note for two reasons. First, it will often get the benefits paid quickly without a fight. Second, a letter from your treating doctor stating that you require ___ hours of attendant care per day will be a great piece of evidence if you ever have to sue the insurance company.
How can I increase the chances of my attendant care getting paid?
First, keep a log for each day that you provide attendant care. In the log write down what activities you do – such as helping the injured person bathe, get dressed, supervising him, etc. - and the number of hours you spend providing attendant care.
Second, have the injured person's treating doctor write a short letter stating that the injured person needs ___ hours of attendant care per day because of his accident-related injuries. Under Michigan law, auto insurance reimburses family provided attendant care up to 24 hours per day. In workers compensation cases that number is limited to 56 hours per week, meaning the workers compensation insurance carrier is required to pay up to 56 hours of care per week, even if you provide more.
Make sure the doctor's letter states that the attendant care is required because of the injured person's accident-related injuries. It helps even more if the doctor's note specifies the activities needed - for example, help bathing, dressing, supervision, etc.
Each month submit to the insurance company your attendant care logs along with the doctor's note. Following this procedure will greatly increase the chances of getting the attendant care paid.
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