SB 254 Summary

• Revises motor vehicle crash report requirements to include incidents with any indication of pain/discomfort complaints, passengers, or vehicle damage requiring wrecker removal; authorizes investigating officers to testify or provide affidavits about crash reports.

• Requires medical providers to submit properly completed bills within specified timeframes; authorizes insurers to deny claims if statements are not substantially completed and gives providers 120 days to cure deficiencies after insurer notice.

• Adds licensed acupuncturists to authorized practitioners for personal injury protection services; requires providers to maintain patient logs signed by patients and provide copies to insurers within 30 days upon request, with failure rendering treatment unlawful and noncompensable.

• Establishes preferred provider network options allowing insurers to offer premium discounts when insureds select preferred providers; insureds forfeit discounts if using nonemergency services from nonpreferred providers unless no preferred provider exists within 15 miles.

• Clarifies demand letter requirements for litigation, specifying that premature demand letters are defective and cannot be cured without court abatement or voluntary dismissal; permits demand letters to request production of claim documents from insurers with 30-day response deadline.