Founding Partner
If you’ve been in an accident, the first thing on your mind should be getting the medical care you need. The truth is that after a trip to the hospital or multiple doctor visits, the bills start piling up. Many accident victims fail to realize how difficult it can be to figure out who is responsible for covering these costs.
While it might seem obvious that the at-fault driver or their insurer should cover your costs, the reality is that insurance companies do not pay medical bills as they come in. Instead, you may have to rely on other payment options before a settlement is reached.
Can I Get Medical Treatment Right Away?
No matter who is responsible for the accident, you can get medical care immediately. Hospitals and doctors will treat you, but they expect to be paid for their services. The challenge is figuring out where that money will come from while you’re waiting for a settlement or legal resolution.
What Are the Best Options for Paying Medical Bills?
There are several ways to handle medical costs after an accident. The right choice depends on your situation.
Paying Out of Pocket
If you have savings or access to funds, you can pay for your medical treatment yourself. Unfortunately, medical bills can add up quickly, and most people don’t have thousands of dollars readily available. If you’re in this situation, don’t assume you have to handle everything alone. There are other options.
Using Health Insurance
Your health insurance can cover accident-related medical bills. However, you may still have to cover deductibles, co-pays, or any treatments your plan doesn’t cover. Even if someone else caused your accident, your health insurance might be the easiest way to get treatment now while your claim is being processed.
Medicaid or Medicare
If you qualify for Medicaid or Medicare, these programs can help cover your medical expenses. Eligibility isn’t guaranteed for everyone, but for those who qualify, it can significantly lighten your load. Just keep in mind that if you later receive a settlement, you may need to reimburse Medicaid or Medicare for what they paid on your behalf.
Medical Payment Coverage (MedPay)
Some people have MedPay coverage as part of their auto insurance. This helps pay for medical costs, regardless of who was at fault. MedPay isn’t available on all policies, and coverage amounts can be limited, but it can provide immediate relief for medical bills.
A Medical Lien or Payment Plan
Some healthcare providers will treat accident victims under a medical lien. This means they provide treatment now and wait for payment until your case settles. Others may offer a payment plan so you can spread out costs over time.
What About the Other Driver’s Insurance?
If another driver was responsible for your accident, their liability insurance should eventually cover your medical expenses, but not right away. Insurance companies don’t pay medical bills as they come in. Instead, they wait until the case is settled or a court orders payment. That can take months or even years. In the meantime, you are expected to cover the costs through one of the options above.
How Can a Lawyer Help?
Dealing with medical bills while recovering from an accident is overwhelming. The good news is that you don’t have to handle it alone. At Bradford Law, we can help by:
- Connecting you with doctors who accept medical liens so you can get treatment without worrying about payment upfront
- Negotiating with medical providers to reduce what you owe
- Fighting with insurance companies to make sure they pay what they should
- Pursuing a legal claim to recover the full cost of your medical care and other losses
Having a lawyer on your side means you have someone fighting for your best interests against insurance companies that will do everything they can to deny you.
Don’t Wait to Get Help
Medical bills shouldn’t stop you from getting the care you need. If you were hurt in an accident, contact our team at Bradford Law today. We can review your case, explain your options, and fight toward securing the money you need for medical treatment and financial relief. Call us now for a free consultation.
