Will My Health Insurance Cover my Car Accident Injuries?
April 30, 2022 | Car Accidents
One of the biggest concerns for accident victims is who will pay for their accident injuries and medical bills. If you have both car and health insurance, you might assume that you can use them interchangeably to pay your medical bills. While you can use health insurance to cover your medical expenses, there are several caveats to keep in mind.
Will I need to use my health insurance or car insurance to cover medical bills after a car crash?
While your health insurance plan might cover your medical needs after a car accident, it will often require you to first go through your car insurance policy. Suppose your car insurance policy has medical pay provisions. In that case, you can use these to pay for medical expenses while you file a claim and await a settlement from the insurance company for the at-fault driver.
Your car insurance policy limits can run out reasonably quickly, depending on your injuries. If this is the case, your health insurance plan will come into play. Another caveat is that your insurance provider will try to have other parties absorb any medical costs before you can tap into your health insurance benefits.
If you must use your health insurance to pay for accident injuries, you will be responsible for paying any copayments, deductibles, and additional costs associated with your accident. While you will need to pay upfront for these costs, you can receive reimbursement for them through a car accident claim. Work with your car accident lawyer to obtain a fair and just settlement for your injuries and out-of-pocket expenses after an accident.
How does liability affect my claim after a car accident?
It may seem as though you have several options to have your medical expenses paid for. However, it may not be as easy as you think to tap into these benefits. The other party’s insurance company may not be willing to pay for your losses and expenses until the end of a claim.
They do this because:
- They want to avoid paying the claim altogether
- They disagree with the extent of your injuries or the medical treatment you received
- They do not want to admit that their insured was at fault for the accident
- They want to work with health insurance negotiated rates
While the company will resolve compensation once the claim settles, you will still be left to deal with the mounting medical bills until then. Acar accident lawyer will work with medical providers, so they do not bill you immediately. They will put a hold on billing until you resolve your accident claim.
While your health insurance will pay for your expenses initially, they will want to receive reimbursement once you resolve your claim. Keep this in mind when agreeing to a settlement offer or using your health insurance plan.
How does Med Pay work?
Car insurance companies can offer supplemental coverage referred to as medical payments coverage or Med Pay. This coverage is optional and can be used to pay deductibles and copays that your health insurance has set up. When you settle your claim, you do not have to repay these benefits to the car insurance company. Keep in mind that Med Pay benefits follow the individual and not the vehicle. Many passengers fail to tap into these benefits since they do not think they can.
Another benefit of Med Pay is that it is not contingent on who was at fault during the accident. While this may sound beneficial, there is one downside to using Med Pay. Your health insurance provider will have contracts and agreements with various medical providers. These relationships mean that your health insurance provider will typically pay half of the going rate for services. Your car insurance does not have this privilege which means they will need to pay the full cost of services.
If this all sounds confusing, it often is for accident victims who have never faced these challenges. However, a car accident lawyer knows all of these coverage options and internal contracts. While your goal is to recover medically, we aim to ensure you pay your bills and obtain the compensation you are entitled to after an accident.
What are my options to pay for medical treatments after a car accident?
As you can tell, there are several options you have for having your medical treatments paid for after an accident.
The most common ways to pay for medical treatment include:
With so many options, you may become overwhelmed and uncertain about the best route. Before tapping into any of your benefits, you should discuss your options with a car accident lawyer.
If you ignore your medical bills, they can go into collections. This process will affect your credit score and your future financial prospects. While some medical bills can result in liens, this does not always happen. Some medical providers will still require you to pay for your care up front.
Your medical expenses are your responsibility, so you will need to ensure you are protected and that your situation does not adversely impact your credit score. You do not want to be denied a loan for a home or car because of a car accident. Work with your car accident attorney to find the best payment options for your particular case.
What if I do not have health insurance?
While you want health insurance, many people do not. There are fewer options for victims who do not have health insurance, but you still have options available. Health providers might offer payment plans and discounted treatment depending on specific eligibility requirements.
In other cases, some healthcare providers will treat the patient now and wait until the resolution of the accident claim to get payment. They will, however, require a letter of protection from an attorney, so do not hesitate to contact us following a car accident.
Enlisting a car accident lawyer
Many law firms dedicate themselves to helping accident victims and their families recover after an accident. Your lawyer should understand how difficult it is to deal with the legal landscape while still trying to get proper medical care. They are ready to take the stress of the insurance process off your shoulders, including addressing health and auto insurance issues.
An experienced car accident attorney understands how difficult it is to navigate these cases and is there to guide you through the legal minefield. Insurance companies will not want to pay for your injuries, and health insurance providers may make it difficult to tap into your benefits. All of this falls on top of your injuries, medical appointments, unpaid bills, and other fallout from a crash.
Do not hesitate to call an experienced attorney after an accident to get the help you need. Focus on recovering from your injuries and not how you will pay for medical bills. Just as you need a doctor to treat your injuries, you need a skilled car accident lawyer to handle your claim.