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You may not have health insurance at the time of your car accident, or you may lose it along with your job if you are no longer able to work afterward. In either case, you may wonder what you are supposed to do about the medical bills that are piling up. If you are not at fault for the accident, you may file a claim with the other party’s insurance company or you may sue. In either case, it will probably be some time before you receive compensation, and in the meantime, your medical bills are coming due. In a situation like this, you have several different options.
Talk to the Providers
Having treated people hurt in car accidents before, doctors and hospitals understand the precarious financial situation that you may find yourself in. They may be willing to charge you the cash price, which is somewhat less than what you would have to pay otherwise. They may also be willing to work out alternative arrangements with you, such as having you pay in installments.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a government insurance program for low-income individuals. It is funded by the federal government and administered by the states. If you are temporarily or permanently out of work due to your car accident, you may qualify for Medicaid. You can obtain more information on your eligibility and how to apply from your state’s Medicaid office.
Medical Payment Coverage
The other driver’s insurance policy may have medical payment coverage, which may cover at least some of your medical bills. Med pay coverage may not cover all your bills because it usually has relatively low policy limits of $10,000 or less. Still, it may be enough to take care of the most immediate bills until the resolution of your case.
Personal Injury Protection
This is a type of coverage that you can purchase with your own auto insurance policy. It is required in the handful of states with no-fault laws on the books but available as an option in most other states. If you have PIP coverage as part of your policy, you can file a claim with your own insurance company and receive payment for at least some of your medical bills regardless of who is at fault. Depending on the state where you live, however, policy limits may apply.
Until you win a court case or reach a settlement, the law holds you responsible for your own medical bills after a car accident. A good lawyer, like a car accident lawyer from David & Philpot, P.L., may be able to help you deal with both the other party’s insurance and the healthcare providers. Schedule a consultation by contacting an attorney today.
