A Year In Review: Automobile No-Fault Stats Of 2016

Automobile accidents in 2016 in the state of Michigan numbered over 301,000 separate incidents, according to the Detroit Free Press. Last year also represented a significant increase in traffic-related deaths, with a total of 1,021 people killed. This higher occurrence of crashes combined with the largest number of traffic-related deaths within the past decade also correlates with an increase in automobile no-fault claims. With increasing occurrences of these claims, adjusters face significant challenges regarding time spent on administrative tasks while insurance carriers must confront and mitigate increasing no-fault claims costs.

Injured claimants may require myriad medical services ranging from the use of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and medical supplies (DMEPOS) to home modifications and transportation needs. Insurance carriers strive to provide high-quality care for claimants but also must address the rising costs of medical equipment. Working with a third-party administrator (TPA) on automobile no-fault claims will allow insurance carriers to reduce many of the costs associated with these types of claims.

Northwood has over 25 years of experience with auto no-fault claims and provides significant cost savings for insurance carriers. For instance, Northwood’s network of medical providers agrees to provide discounted rates on medical services and prescriptions to Northwood’s clients and their injured claimants. When claimants utilize this network, which spans the United States and Puerto Rico, they pay no out-of-pocket costs on prescription drugs or over-the-counter medicines. This extensive network has been thoroughly reviewed by Northwood and credentialed in order to ensure the highest quality of medical care for claimants with the lowest pricing.Read More

Benefits Of Northwood As A Durable Medical Equipment Benefits Manager

Insurance carriers administering claims involving durable medical equipment, prosthetics and orthotics (DMEPOS) are confronted with increasing challenges and mounting regulations within the industry. Advances in technology and changes to the DMEPOS field often bring significant benefits and more favorable outcomes to claimants but also present considerably higher claims costs in addition to increased time spent on claims adjudication by adjusters. Furthermore, claimant satisfaction levels may considerably decrease due to these rising costs and longer claims cycle times which can ultimately have a negative impact on an insurance carrier’s earnings.

Fortunately, a durable medical equipment benefits manager (DBM) such as Northwood is able to assist insurance carriers with each of these potential problem areas. Northwood has partnered with insurance carriers as a DBM for more than 20 years to proactively manage claims involving DMEPOS. Throughout this management process, Northwood monitors and tracks each claim to provide reports and thorough analysis for each of its clients. This innovative approach to claims adjudication comprises systems customized for individual insurance carriers that enable them to achieve maximum cost savings and reduce overall claims cycle time.

As the nation’s leading DBM, Northwood has built an extensive network of providers throughout the nation. Each provider is subject to a thorough credentialing process before being accepted into the network. Once accepted and credentialed, providers dispense authorized DMEPOS products and services to insurance carriers and their claimants according to their agreed upon fee schedule with Northwood. Since Northwood is based in Michigan, the state contains over 250 credentialed DMEPOS providers; the remainder of its extensive network spans the entire United States and also includes medical providers in Puerto Rico. Insurance carriers will also appreciate the convenience and availability of Northwood’s call center that provides customer service support 24 hours per day and seven days per week. Northwood offers translation services within this call center, thus eliminating the need for insurance carriers to hire an outside language service which reduces vendor expenses for the carrier.Read More

February’s Topic is Low Vision Awareness

Our awareness feature for February is low vision. Low vision differs from nearsightedness or farsightedness because it can’t be corrected with glasses, surgery, or medicine. Low vision affects your ability to live your life as you’ve always done. It can become difficult to move around your house, read books, cook dinner or drive your car.

Low vision can be caused by eye injuries, diseases, disorders, diabetes, or brain injury. One of the common types of low vision is age-related macular degeneration. Almost half of all cases of low vision are associated with age-related macular degeneration. Your doctor can help determine if you are subject to low vision by reviewing your family history and doing a thorough eye exam including dilating your pupils. Additionally, pay attention to your daily habits. Is it becoming difficult for you to read books/newspapers? Are you having any issues recognizing people by their faces? Is it difficult when you are driving to read the street signs, even with your glasses on? Any of these concerns should be discussed with your doctor.

One help for drivers is the use of bioptic lenses or bioptics. This is a pair of lenses that have telescopes attached to them to improve the distance vision of the person wearing them. The glasses show far objects closer and clearer. For Michigan, as with most other states, the laws related to the use of bioptic lenses for driving have specific vision requirements attached for their use. If the vision criteria are not met, then driving privileges will be affected. Additionally, new users of bioptics may have greater restrictions (loss of night driving privileges) for a period of one year or more. Again, vision restrictions will apply. The users will also need to attend driver training/classes in the beginning and if they want to expand their driving choices.

One of the biggest concerns for drivers is the loss of peripheral vision. As vision begins to fade, the peripheral vision becomes paramount to determining whether an individual can remain safely on the road. Driving privileges can be taken away if it is determined through examination that the peripheral field of vision of the individual is less than 90 degrees. This would mean that when they come to a stop, they might not be able to see oncoming traffic from the left or the right, or might not be able to see someone crossing the street.  They could if they turn their head, but then the field of vision in front of them is affected. They would not be able to make a safe assessment as to whether they could enter the intersection safely or not.Contact More.

Northwood’s Commitment to Excellence

Northwood has over 20 years’ experience offering customized solutions to optimize durable medical equipment, prosthetic, orthotic and medical supply (DMEPOS) spend for insurance carriers serving health plans, auto no-fault and workers’ compensation programs. Northwood has expanded its services to include prescription and over-the-counter medications, home health care, infusion therapy, home modification, transportation and translation services. The goal is to examine the trends which show escalating growth in the DMEPOS market and offer solutions to maximize benefits while saving money for everyone involved.

Northwood and their network of credentialed providers stay on top of the trends and changes within:

• Durable Medical Equipment
• Prosthetics & Orthotics
• Medical Supplies
• Home Health Care
• Home Modification
• Transportation
• Translation Services
• Pharmacy Services
• Infusion Therapy

With over 20 years of experience in the durable medical equipment, prosthetic, orthotic and medical supply (DMEPOS) services field, Northwood understands the changing landscape of the claims industry. Northwood has kept an eye on the trends and changes occurring within the market to understand how best to maximize benefits for their insurance carrier clients while simultaneously keeping claims costs down. Insurance carriers partnering with Northwood will gain access to a network of credentialed providers that provide the most current DMEPOS technology for purchase and rental to claimants at a discounted price. Claimants utilizing this network will have zero out of pocket cost, thus increasing overall claimant satisfaction.

Throughout the years, Northwood has worked with many insurers and claimants. Through these partnerships, Northwood has observed an increased need to expand services to include prescription and over-the-counter medications, home health care, infusion therapy, home modification, transportation and translation services. Furthermore, shifting patient care from the hospital to the claimants’ home has been a concept growing in popularity and implementation over the previous three decades. This shift in claimant care methods brings with it a need to safely and effectively modify the home while claimants convalesce. Transportation services are also necessary to assist with claimant indemnification if claimants are unable to drive themselves to the necessary follow-up medical appointments. Additionally, when claimants are at home they may need temporary assistance with their daily living activities which requires home visits from nursing, physical and occupational therapy and assistant staff. Read More