If you have been injured in a car accident but did not have health insurance at the time, you may be left wondering what to do if you need medical treatment. You need to be seen by a medical professional, but the costs of medical bills not covered by insurance can be astronomical.
Does the fact that you do not have health insurance affect your ability to get a settlement? We have asked attorney Alaina Sullivan about what you should do. Here is what she had to say:
Who Pays the Bills Now?
When you are injured in a car accident, even if you were not the person at fault, you are responsible for payment of your medical bills as they are incurred. This means that you will have to pay the bills, no matter how high they are, as the bills come in.
Your medical providers are going to want to be paid as soon as possible, understandably. However, it can take months, if not years, to receive full reimbursement from the other party for these expenses. In the meantime, you will be responsible for figuring out how the medical bills get paid.
However, avenues do exist for individuals who do not have health insurance at the time of an accident, and these options are explored below.
No Fault Insurance
Currently a dozen states have what are known as “no-fault” insurance laws on the books. These states include Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Utah.
In these states, you file a claim with your own car insurance company regardless of fault. No fault insurance will also allow you to file claims for some or all of your medical bills if you get into a car accident.
Each state is different, but the claim filed under no fault insurance is called a personal injury protection (PIP) claim. At minimum, a portion of your medical expenses can be covered under a claim with your own insurance agency under your no-fault policy.
Medical Payment Coverage
Some insurance policies also offer medical payment insurance coverage. This coverage will pay for medical bills of the person injured in an accident caused by the insured, up to the policy limit. These limits are normally less than $10,000. Anything above that amount, the insured is responsible for paying.
If the other driver is at fault, ask him or her if their insurance has “med pay” coverage. If so, that person’s insurance policy should be able to pay for at least a portion of your medical bills.
Payment through Medicaid
If you do not have health insurance or the ability to pay for it, Medicaid is an option. Medicaid is a federal insurance program that offers health insurance coverage to low-income individuals through state agencies.
You need to prove your qualifications for Medicaid, but if you do qualify, Medicaid will pay for your medical bills from the accident.
Working with Healthcare Providers
If all else fails, sometimes contacting your healthcare provider and explaining your situation will help. At the end of the day, these providers want to get paid, and if you are not able to pay them all in full, many times they are willing to work with you to see what you can pay.
You may be able to seek out doctors who specialize in treating people who are accident victims. Some medical professionals do specialize in this area and regularly work with their patients on payment plans. Sometimes they will enter into what is known as a personal injury lien, which is a contract between the patient and the medical provider.
This contract is normally sent to the lawyer who will pay the provider from whatever settlement proceeds or verdict is received before the injured party receives payment. Speak with your personal injury attorney if you believe this may be a viable option for you.
Contact an Attorney Today
If you have been in a car accident and did not have health insurance at the time, it is recommended you contact an attorney to ask any questions you may have. A licensed personal injury attorney will be able to evaluate your case and determine if you have a claim against the other party’s insurance company.
To receive the compensation for your medical bills, property damages, and pain and suffering, you should speak with a personal injury attorney in your area today.
