Physical Therapy With a Letter of Protection in Florida

Last updated: October 3, 2026

Quick Answer

A letter of protection (LOP) is a written agreement, usually arranged by your personal injury attorney, in which a provider agrees to treat you now and wait for payment until your case settles or ends. The bill is then paid from your recovery. It is not insurance. In Florida, PIP auto insurance usually pays first, and an LOP often covers care when PIP runs out or does not apply. All In One Specialty Health accepts LOP cases for physical therapy. This article is general information, not legal advice.

How an LOP works, step by step

1. You are injured, for example in a car crash, and you hire a personal injury attorney.
2. Your attorney sends an LOP to the clinic. It says the provider's bill will be paid from any settlement or judgment.
3. You start care. Your physical therapist evaluates you, sets a plan and documents each visit.
4. Records and bills are shared with your attorney with your written authorization.
5. When the case ends, the bill is paid from the recovery according to the agreement. If there is no recovery, or not enough, you may still owe the balance depending on the letter's terms.

LOP, PIP and health insurance

• PIP (personal injury protection): after a Florida car crash, PIP generally pays 80% of medically necessary care up to your limit, if you get initial care within 14 days. Read our guide: Does PIP cover physical therapy in Florida?
• LOP: often used when PIP is used up, denied or not available, or for the part PIP does not pay.
• Health insurance or MedPay: may also pay for accident care. Tell your attorney what coverage you have.

What changed in Florida in 2023

Florida's 2023 tort reform (HB 837) added section 768.0427 to the Florida Statutes. In personal injury cases, a claimant who gets treatment under an LOP must disclose, among other things:

• A copy of the letter of protection.
• Itemized, coded bills for the treatment.
• Whether the provider sold the account to a third party (factoring), and for how much.
• Whether the claimant had health care coverage at the time of treatment.
• Whether the claimant was referred for treatment, and by whom, including by their attorney.

The law also affects how medical bills are presented as evidence. Your attorney can explain how this applies to your case.

Questions to ask before you sign

• Who is responsible for the bill if the case is lost or settles for less?
• Can the balance be reduced at settlement?
• Should my health insurance, PIP or MedPay be billed first?
• How will records and bills be shared with my attorney?

Physical therapy with an LOP in Miami Gardens

We accept LOP and PIP auto-accident cases at 16191 NW 57 Ave, Suite A, Miami Gardens, FL 33014. Physical therapy is provided by Patricia Freire, PT, in English and Spanish, for injuries such as whiplash, back pain and shoulder or knee injuries after a crash. Learn more about our auto accident physical therapy, our Miami Gardens clinic and the insurance we accept.

Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM; Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 AM–3:00 PM. We are a different clinic from All In One Care Solutions, which is in the same building.

Not legal advice

All In One Specialty Health is a physical therapy and mental health clinic, not a law firm. This article explains how LOPs generally work. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your case, talk to a Florida-licensed attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a letter of protection (LOP) for physical therapy?
An LOP is a written agreement, usually arranged by your personal injury attorney, in which the clinic agrees to wait for payment until your case settles or ends. The bill is then paid from the recovery. It is not insurance, and the terms are set in the letter.

Do you accept LOP cases for physical therapy?
Yes. All In One Specialty Health accepts LOP cases, along with PIP, for physical therapy after an accident. LOP cases are arranged through your attorney. Call (786) 613-7160 to start.

Will I owe the bill if my case loses or settles for less?
It depends on the agreement. Many LOPs leave the patient responsible for the balance if there is no recovery or not enough to pay it. Read the letter carefully and ask your attorney before you sign.

Can I use an LOP if I missed the 14-day PIP deadline?
Possibly. Florida PIP medical benefits require initial care within 14 days of the crash, so PIP may not pay if that window has passed. Health insurance, MedPay or an LOP through your attorney may still be options. Call us to review your situation.

Sources

• Florida Statutes § 768.0427 (LOP disclosures)
• Florida Statutes § 627.736 (PIP)

General information only; not legal or medical advice. Coverage and payment terms depend on your policy and your agreement.