After a car accident, your health and welfare should be a top priority, and you may be wondering how to pay for your care. We cannot escape that medical care in our country is extremely expensive and overwhelming if you do not have the means to pay for the treatment. Frequently after an accident, many of our clients are stuck with massive medical bills from the hospital with no way to pay them. Medical bills have quickly become a major reason for personal bankruptcies in this country.
It is important to realize that the other driver’s insurance company will not pay your medical bills on an ongoing basis. If you have not retained an attorney, the insurance adjuster will contact you or your family and promise to pay your medical bills–but be careful! The insurance adjuster is usually quick to make promises, but once it comes to honoring those promises, the insurance adjuster will likely dispute your treatment as “excessive” and “unnecessary”.
Frequently the insurance adjuster will contact you and tell you they will pay the medical bills and some more doctor visits so long as you sign a settlement agreement. If you are still treating for your injuries, that is absolutely no time to be discussing settlement or monetary compensation. The adjuster wants a quick settlement so the insurance company does not have to pay for the treatment you may need.
Resources available to help with medical bills after a car accident
Car accidents can be devastating and result in high medical bills, adding to the stress you already feel. However, resources are available to help with medical bills after a car accident. Here are some options to consider:
- Health Insurance – Health insurance can cover some or all of the medical expenses from your car accident. Make sure to check with your insurance provider to see what is covered.
- Car Insurance – Depending on your insurance coverage, your car insurance may also cover some of the medical bills from your car accident. Make sure to check with your car insurance provider.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – Some states require PIP coverage, a type of car insurance covering medical and related expenses after a car accident. Check to see if your state requires PIP coverage.
- Medical Payment Coverage – This type of car insurance covers medical expenses for you and your passengers after a car accident, regardless of who is at fault.
- Medicaid – If you meet certain income requirements, you may be eligible for Medicaid, which can help cover medical bills from a car accident.
- Medicare – If you are 65 or older or have certain disabilities, you may be eligible for Medicare, which can help cover medical bills from a car accident.
- Non-profit organizations – Some non-profit organizations provide financial assistance to those struggling to pay their medical bills after a car accident. Look into organizations in your area that may be able to help.
Common Types of Medical Bills
After a car accident, medical bills can quickly pile up and become overwhelming. Knowing the common types of medical bills you may incur can help you prepare for the expenses.
- Bills from emergency medical services (EMS) and the hospital. This can include ambulance transport, emergency room visits, and any necessary tests or scans. These bills can add up quickly, even for minor injuries.
- Bills from specialists, such as orthopedists, neurologists, or physical therapists. These healthcare providers may be necessary to help you recover from your injuries, but their services can also be expensive.
- Prescription medication costs can also quickly add up. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may need pain medication, muscle relaxants, or other medications to help manage your symptoms.
- Any medical equipment or assistive devices you need during your recovery. This can include crutches, a wheelchair, or even home modifications to accommodate your injuries.
It’s important to keep track of all medical bills that you receive, as well as any payments that you make. This will help you keep track of your expenses and ensure you are not being charged for services you did not receive. When dealing with medical bills after a car accident, consulting with a personal injury attorney who can help you understand your rights and navigate the complex healthcare billing system may be helpful.
Negotiating Medical Bills
After a car accident, the last thing anyone wants to deal with is the stress of medical bills. Unfortunately, medical bills can be one of the most significant expenses from a car accident. The good news is that there are ways to negotiate these bills and potentially reduce out-of-pocket expenses. Reviewing each bill in detail is important, ensuring all the charges are correct and valid. Mistakes in billing can happen, and it’s important to ensure you are only paying for services provided to you.
Once you have verified the accuracy of the bills, you can then begin negotiating with the healthcare provider or insurance company. Explain your situation and financial constraints, and see if they offer discounts or payment plans. Many healthcare providers have financial assistance programs for patients struggling to pay their medical bills. If you are insured, it’s important to understand your policy and what it covers. Some insurance policies have negotiated rates with healthcare providers, and you may be able to take advantage of these lower rates. You can also work with your insurance company to negotiate the billing directly with the healthcare provider.
Another tip is to hire a medical bill advocate or a lawyer. These professionals can help you navigate the complex world of medical billing and may be able to negotiate lower rates on your behalf. Overall, negotiating medical bills can be time-consuming and stressful, but it can result in significant savings in the long run. By reviewing your bills, understanding your insurance policy, and working with professionals if needed, you can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses and focus on your recovery after a car accident.
What are Your Options to Pay for Medical Treatment?
You may be fortunate enough to have health insurance or “Personal Injury Protection” or “PIP.” PIP coverage allows you to pay your medical bills after a car accident. In Texas, PIP is frequently purchased in coverage amounts ranging from $2,500.00 to $10,000.00. This insurance coverage can cover your medical bills after an accident.
What About Your Own Health Insurance?
Even if you have your own health insurance, many health insurance plans refuse to pay for medical care due to injuries from car accidents. The reason for this is simple: the law in Texas is that when another person’s negligence injures you, it is the wrongdoer’s responsibility (and their insurance) to make you whole.
Your own health plans generally have no legal obligation to pay for your treatment for injuries caused by someone else. Many of our clients come to us after a car accident and state that their primary care physician told them they do not treat people involved in a car accident.
What Can You do if You do not Have PIP or Health Insurance That Will Cover Your Treatment?
You can request a doctor’s visit under a “Letter of Protection”. A letter of protection is an agreement written by the patient’s attorney that allows the injured party to obtain the medical care they otherwise cannot afford on credit or cash. The letter of protection promises to pay for the services directly out of a settlement or judgment. Letters of protection are utilized in most personal injury claims and are most commonly used in car accident cases. These letters allow injured persons to get the medical care they need when otherwise there would be no assistance, and the doctors who work under them provide an invaluable service to our community.
You may wonder why you can’t submit your bills directly to the third person’s insurance. Automobile liability insurance carriers will not pay for your medical care as you go. They expect you to pay for the care, then submit all your bills at once, and then they will make an offer to settle your case. This is unrealistic as most people cannot afford to pay for all the care.
Contact the Genthe Law Firm for Help After your Personal Injury Accident
If you have concerns about your bills and how to pay for your care following an accident caused by someone else, call a car accident attorney at the Genthe Law Firm, P.C. We can help you determine what types of coverages are available to you and make sure that you do not follow the victim to greedy insurance companies. Contact us for help today.