Emergency Medical Conditions (EMC)
Emergency Medical Condition (EMC): Critical for Maximizing PIP Benefits
Under Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) law, an Emergency Medical Condition (EMC) is defined as a medical condition presenting with acute symptoms of sufficient severity—which may include severe pain—such that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected to result in one or more of the following:
Serious jeopardy to the patient’s health
Significant impairment of bodily functions
Substantial dysfunction of any bodily organ or part
Establishing an EMC is a pivotal step in unlocking the full $10,000 in PIP medical benefits. Without this formal designation, PIP coverage is limited to $2,500. To qualify for the full benefit, Florida law mandates that only the following licensed providers can make a legal EMC determination:
Medical Doctors (M.D.)
Doctors of Osteopathy (D.O.)
Physician Assistants (P.A.)
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (N.P.)
Important Note: According to Florida statute, chiropractors are not authorized to diagnose or certify whether an Emergency Medical Condition exists.
To ensure patients receive the full extent of their entitled benefits, an EMC evaluation should be completed within the first few chiropractic visits following an auto accident or injury.
CloudMD: Secure, Convenient Telemedicine for EMC Evaluations
At CloudMD, we specialize in delivering HIPAA-compliant, telemedicine-based EMC evaluations for patients involved in motor vehicle accidents. Our services are designed to be:
Fast and fully virtual
Performed within your office setting
Accessible through secure, state-of-the-art technology
Our team of experienced and licensed healthcare providers conducts detailed, patient-specific examinations via a streamlined telehealth process. Each evaluation includes a comprehensive review of:
Medical records and chiropractic notes
Imaging studies (X-rays, MRIs, etc.)
Relevant diagnostic data
We work collaboratively with the chiropractic and personal injury community, ensuring that patients receive thorough and timely assessments to determine whether an Emergency Medical Condition is present.
With CloudMD, you can ensure your patients have access to high-quality care and the full scope of their PIP benefits—without the delays, complications, or unnecessary travel.