3 min read · July 23, 2026
Injured in a Car Accident in NY? What No-Fault May Cover for Recovery Equipment
You were rear-ended on the BQE. Urgent care sent you home with a prescription for a cervical collar and a TENS unit, along with paperwork you don’t fully understand. Your neck is getting stiffer, and you still don’t know whether your auto insurance will pay for the equipment your provider ordered.
New York’s no-fault system is meant to help eligible people access accident-related benefits without first determining who caused the crash. The process can still feel confusing when you’re dealing with an injury, insurance forms, and a new treatment plan at the same time.
When people search for no-fault DME in New York, they're typically looking for prescribed recovery equipment such as braces, CPM machines, TENS units, cold therapy systems, and mobility aids that may be covered under a no-fault claim.
This guide walks through what New York no-fault (PIP) insurance may cover, how prescribed recovery equipment fits into a claim and what information can help move a durable medical equipment (DME) referral forward.
What Is No-Fault Insurance in New York?
New York requires auto insurance policies to include at least $50,000 in Personal Injury Protection, commonly called PIP or no-fault coverage. It provides eligible people with benefits for covered accident-related losses regardless of who caused the crash.
Under New York Insurance Law § 5102, basic economic loss can include necessary medical and rehabilitation expenses, lost earnings within statutory limits, and certain other reasonable and necessary expenses. The combined basic economic loss limit is generally $50,000 per eligible injured person.
No-fault doesn’t pay to repair your vehicle. It also doesn’t automatically provide compensation for pain and suffering. Those issues involve different portions of an auto claim and may require guidance from the insurer or an attorney.
Equipment prescribed for a NY claim?
Patients, attorneys, treating providers, and adjusters may use the online form. Providers may also fax (973) 846-7077 or email referral@citydme.com. CityDME reviews submitted referrals the next business day. Prescription required.
Send a DME ReferralDoes No-Fault Cover Recovery Equipment?
New York no-fault may cover prescribed recovery equipment when it's medically necessary, connected to the accident, and supported by the required claim documentation.
Depending on the injury and the treating provider's order, that equipment may include a back or knee brace, TENS unit, cold therapy system, CPM machine, mobility aid or other durable medical equipment used during recovery.
Coverage isn't automatic simply because a product could help with an injury. The treating provider must prescribe the equipment, and the insurer must have the information needed to review and process the claim. The specific item, claim status, and supporting documentation can all affect whether the carrier pays for it.
If you've already been prescribed recovery equipment after a car accident, you can submit a referral and we'll review the claim details and explain what's needed next.
What Equipment May Be Prescribed After a Car Accident?
The right equipment depends on the injury, treatment plan, and instructions from the treating provider. The following are examples of recovery equipment that may be prescribed after an auto accident.
Injury or Recovery Need
Equipment a Provider May Prescribe
How It May Support Recovery
**Neck injury
or whiplash-related symptoms**
Cervical collar
or TENS unit
May provide
temporary support, limit certain movements, and help manage pain during
recovery
**Back or
lumbar injury**
LSO brace, lumbar
brace, TENS unit, or cold therapy
May help
support the lower back, reduce painful movement, and improve comfort during
recovery
Knee injury
(ACL, MCL, meniscus, fracture) or knee surgery
Hinged knee
brace, knee CPM machine, or cold therapy pump
May help
protect the knee, support prescribed range of motion, and manage swelling
after injury or surgery
**Shoulder
injury** (rotator cuff, labrum, dislocation) or surgery
Shoulder sling
or immobilizer, shoulder CPM machine, or cold therapy system
May help
protect the shoulder, support prescribed movement, and manage swelling and
discomfort after injury or surgery
**Fracture or
post-operative recovery**
Prescribed
brace, mobility aid, or bone growth stimulator
May help
protect the injured area, support safe mobility, and assist the recovery
process when prescribed
**Limited
weight-bearing or balance concerns**
Crutches, cane,
walker, or wheelchair
May help
improve stability, reduce fall risk, and make it easier to move around safely
during recovery
A brace or device shouldn’t be selected solely from a general list. Your treating provider determines which equipment is appropriate and includes the necessary details in the prescription.
Learn more about CityDME’s back braces for New York no-fault claims (https://www.citydme.com/products/back-braces-workers-comp-no-fault), [hinged knee braces, TENS units, [CPM
machine rentals](https://www.citydme.com/products/cpm-machine-rental-workers-comp-no-fault) and hot and cold therapy equipment.
What Do You Need to Request Recovery Equipment?
A no-fault DME referral generally starts with the following information:
- A prescription from your treating provider. A prescription is required before CityDME fulfills a no-fault equipment referral.
- The no-fault claim details. Send the claim number and insurance carrier if you have them.
- Contact information. Include a phone number and the New York address where the equipment will be delivered or fitted.
- Assignment-of-benefits paperwork. An Assignment of Benefits, or AOB, allows eligible no-fault benefits for the prescribed service or equipment to be paid directly to the provider or supplier, subject to the claim and applicable requirements.
Missing something? Send the referral anyway. CityDME reviews every referral the next business day and tells you exactly what's still needed to move it forward. You don't need to have every document perfectly lined up before you start.
Patients, attorneys, treating providers, and adjusters or case managers may use the [online
DME referral form](https://www.citydme.com/referrals). Providers may also submit referrals using the methods listed on the form.
What No-Fault Deadlines Should You Know?
New York no-fault claims have important submission deadlines. Because exceptions and individual circumstances can vary, contact the insurer or an attorney if you’re unsure how a deadline applies to your claim.
Written Notice of the Claim: Generally Within 30 Days
Written notice identifying the injured person and providing reasonably available accident information generally must be submitted to the applicable no-fault insurer within 30 calendar days of the accident.
New York’s rules allow consideration of a late notice when the injured person provides written proof of a clear and reasonable justification for the delay. It’s still best to report the claim as soon as reasonably possible.
The insurer generally sends the Application for Motor Vehicle No-Fault Benefits, commonly called the NF-2, after receiving notice. The New York Department of Financial Services maintains the official [no-fault forms and resources (https://www.dfs.ny.gov/apps_and_licensing/property_insurers/nofault).
Health Service Bills: Generally Within 45 Days
New York’s Regulation 68 generally requires health service bills to be submitted within 45 days after the treatment or service is provided. This deadline primarily affects the healthcare provider or DME supplier submitting the bill, but patients should still provide claim information promptly.
Requests From the Insurance Carrier
A no-fault insurer may request additional verification. This can include an Independent Medical Examination, or IME, and in some circumstances an Examination Under Oath, or EUO.
An IME is a medical examination requested by the insurer. An EUO is formal questioning under oath used to obtain information about the claim. Don’t ignore either notice. Review it promptly and contact the insurer or your attorney if you have questions about what’s required. New York’s no-fault rules permit insurers to request EUOs based on objective standards, and failure to comply with a reasonable IME request can affect coverage.
How CityDME Helps With No-Fault DME in New York
We coordinate prescribed no-fault recovery equipment for patients across Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Long Island, and Westchester County.
Once we receive the prescription and claim information available at the time of referral, our team reviews the documentation, helps identify what's still needed, coordinates with the appropriate parties on the claim, and helps move the equipment from prescription to delivery so you can focus on recovery.
Helping someone with a No-Fault claim? Treating providers, attorneys, and adjusters or case managers can also submit a DME referral. Send the prescription and available claim information, and we’ll review it and explain what is still needed.
Request No-Fault Recovery Equipment
Frequently Asked Questions About No-Fault Recovery Equipment
Does no-fault cover a back brace after a car accident in NY?
New York no-fault can cover a back brace when the treating provider prescribes it for an injury related to the motor vehicle accident and the claim documentation supports coverage. A prescription is required.
Do I need a prescription for a TENS unit under no-fault?
Yes. CityDME requires a prescription from the treating provider before fulfilling a TENS unit through a New York no-fault claim. The claim details and assignment-of-benefits paperwork must also be in place before the carrier can be billed directly.
How long do I have to file a no-fault claim in New York?
Written notice generally must be submitted to the applicable no-fault insurer within 30 calendar days of the accident. A late notice may be considered if written proof provides a clear and reasonable justification for the delay.
Can my attorney send a DME referral on my behalf?
Yes. Patients, attorneys, treating providers, and adjusters or case managers can submit a referral through CityDME’s online form.
What if I already paid for a brace myself?
Contact the no-fault insurer before assuming the purchase will be reimbursed. Reimbursement depends on the claim, prescription, documentation, applicable fee limits and the carrier’s review. Keep the prescription, receipt and any related medical documentation. CityDME cannot guarantee that an insurer will reimburse an equipment purchase made outside its referral and billing process.
Send Your No-Fault DME Referral
If your treating provider has prescribed a brace, TENS unit, CPM machine, cold therapy system or other recovery equipment, send the prescription and the claim information you have. CityDME will review the referral and explain what is needed next.
You may also call (973) 850-3121, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. ET.
This article provides general educational information and is not legal or medical advice. Coverage depends on the individual claim, prescription, policy and supporting documentation.
Injured on the job or in a crash?
Patients, attorneys, treating providers, and adjusters may use the online form. Providers may also fax (973) 846-7077 or email referral@citydme.com. Prescription required.