Q&A
Examination of medical costs and insurance coverage in accident scenarios
2:15:36
ยท
163 sec
Council Member Brooks-Powers inquires about specific medical costs and how they would be covered under the proposed insurance changes. The discussion includes real-world examples of medical expenses and explanations of how different types of insurance would apply in various scenarios.
- Representatives provide examples of emergency room and hospital stay costs
- Discussion on how PIP, liability, and other types of insurance would cover expenses in accident scenarios
- Explanation of the historical context and purpose of no-fault insurance
- Clarification on coverage differences between NYC and nearby areas
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
2:15:36
do you have an idea of what the cost is for an emergency room visit on average?
Freddi Goldstein
2:15:42
I don't have that information.
2:15:43
No.
Peter Mazer
2:15:44
I do since I recently experienced it.
2:15:48
A cost for an emergency room visit is about a thousand dollars.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
2:15:52
A thousand dollars.
Peter Mazer
2:15:53
But if if you not not if you're staying overnight.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
2:15:57
Right.
2:15:57
And then do you know if you have to stay overnight?
2:16:00
Well,
Peter Mazer
2:16:01
I spent two nights in the hospital a few months ago, and the official bill from the hospital was $27,000.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
2:16:09
And that was for two days?
Peter Mazer
2:16:11
For two days.
2:16:12
It wasn't a car accident.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
2:16:14
Right.
2:16:14
It wasn't a car accident.
2:16:15
It was for two days.
2:16:16
But if someone gets into a car crash with severe bodily injury and they have to be in a hospital for five days and then go to therapy.
Peter Mazer
2:16:25
Mhmm.
2:16:27
Once the 50,000 in PIP would let's say 50,000 in PIP was exhausted
Matthew Daus
2:16:33
Mhmm.
Peter Mazer
2:16:33
They would be able to, bring the lawsuit and and, cover under the liability policy, which is a hundred over 300,000.
2:16:42
So you have additional coverage there.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
2:16:44
Mhmm.
Peter Mazer
2:16:44
And that coverage, you would have to show a significant injury.
2:16:48
So if you reach the $50,000 threshold, you may be able to show significant injury.
2:16:53
So that liability insurance is still available and but there you have to would have to depend on fault.
2:17:00
So then you would have to bring the action against the person who was at fault as opposed to no fault coverage, which only covers, out of pocket medical expenses.
2:17:10
It would cover physical therapy.
2:17:11
There is some money for lost wages.
2:17:13
It's intended, to provide a base level of coverage irrespective of fault.
2:17:19
Before, New York's many years ago, did not have no fault.
2:17:24
And every time you were involved in an automobile accident, you borrow a lawsuit.
2:17:28
And the lawsuit would determine the the purpose of the lawsuit was to determine who was at fault and the the party that was at fault would wind up paying through their insurance carrier.
2:17:37
No fault, created this was supposed to create a system where we did not have, the difficulty of, assessing fault and everybody would have a certain amount of coverage, 50,000 across the board.
2:17:50
Now if you got hit by a UPS truck, you'd have the same no fault coverage.
Wen Chen
2:17:57
If you
Peter Mazer
2:18:00
if if you had the misfortune of being in a, in an accident in a taxi cab at Yonkers as opposed to The Bronx, the coverage would be $50,000.
2:18:13
Thank you.
2:18:13
There is all the coverage.
2:18:14
Like I said, there is the liability coverage.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
2:18:16
Thank you for that.
2:18:18
Mister Singh?