Managing Your Medical Bills While Your Claim is Pending

If you were injured in an accident, you might be surprised that you are initially on the hook for the payment of medical bills, even if your injuries were due to someone else’s negligence. Since you will not get paid until the end of the claims process and your health care provider might not be patient, you will need to figure out how to manage your medical bills while your claim is pending.

Our West Palm Beach personal injury lawyers are ready to answer your questions about medical bills and other expenses after an injury. We discuss some of these options below and are ready to provide additional information on these options in a free consultation.

Health Insurance Coverage

Your first resource to help pay for expenses is through your own health insurance. However, in the event of a car accident, auto insurance companies do not generally pay medical bills up front. Instead, they will wait for you to receive treatment and then reimburse you for the expenses you have paid.

Give your health insurance information to the hospital, emergency room and other health care providers from whom you seek treatment. Some providers might state that your health insurance company will not cover your expenses, but still provide this information any way. Medical personnel may not be fully aware of how the claims process works.

Benefits of Using Your Own Insurance

There are several benefits when you use your own insurance. One is that the medical bills get paid so that you do not have to worry about them or suffer negative effects on your credit by leaving them unpaid. Insurance claims may take several months or even years to process. Most importantly, using your own insurance will ensure that you receive the proper care and treatment you need.

In many situations, auto insurance policy limits may not cover the full extent of your medical bills, especially if the other driver only maintained the minimum liability insurance. Using your own health insurance can help cover expenses that exceed policy limits so you are not stuck paying these expenses out of pocket.

Understanding Subrogation

It is important that you know that even if your health insurance carrier paid your expenses, you may still owe them money. During the subrogation process, your insurance company seeks reimbursement from the insurance company that covered the at-fault party. If you receive a settlement, your insurance company can require you to pay back the amounts that it initially paid on your behalf.

Medicare or Medicaid

If you have Medicare or Medicaid, you may turn to this insurance so that you receive the medical treatment you need. Just like with private health insurance, you might be required to reimburse the government for the medical expenses it paid for from any settlement or award you receive.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

You may have personal injury protection coverage that can help pay for a portion of your expenses. Personal injury protection provides for your medical expenses regardless of who is at fault in an accident. It is part of your own insurance policy, not the at-fault party’s.

Dealing With the Health Care Provider

One of the important benefits of working with a personal injury lawyer is their ability to negotiate with health care providers on your behalf. He or she may be able to negotiate a reduced rate for services. This can help you maximize the value of your claim. Even if you are paid a settlement, you will get the benefit of paying this reduced rate.

Additionally, a lawyer can advise you on whether to sign an authorization and assignment with the health care provider if you do not have health insurance or your other forms of payment are exhausted. Under this arrangement, you agree to first pay the health care provider before you receive your settlement funds.

Schedule a Free Consultation to Learn More

If you were injured in an accident and are concerned about how you will pay for your necessary medical care, the legal team at Gordon & Partners are prepared to help. Let us review your situation and inform you of the options available to you during a free, no-obligation consultation. We charge no upfront fees for our services and only get paid at the end of the claims process if you recover compensation.

Contact us today at 1 (855) 722-2552 to learn more.