How do I pay my medical bills until I get my settlement?
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Many personal injury victims enjoy peace of mind from the knowledge that a negligent party responsible for their injuries will be required to cover their medical bills. However, many victims don’t think about the fact that they will not receive compensation automatically or immediately. If you have a good case, you can rest assured that you will eventually be made whole, but don’t forget that you won’t get any money until your case has been resolved, which could take several months or even years. So how do you pay your medical bills in the meantime?
Using your health insurance
If you’re lucky enough to have health insurance coverage, it will probably be your primary option when considering how to pay for medical bills. The advantages of having good health insurance coverage are that you can receive the medical treatment you need without worrying too much about financial issues, and you can be assured that your bills are being paid promptly. Being injured in an accident is bad enough, but having to worry further about the damage to your reputation, credit score, and financial situation from having unpaid bills pile up is even worse.
Be aware that if you take advantage of your car or health insurance policy to pay for your medical bills and are later awarded a settlement, you may be required to reimburse the insurance company out of this money before you are free to take the remainder.
Medicare/medicaid
Much like health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid will pay your medical expenses if you are enrolled in one of these programs. Similarly, if you are later awarded damages to pay for your medical bills, you may be required to repay the costs that Medicare or Medicaid paid on your behalf before you can recover the rest of the money.
PIP coverage or MedPay
Personal injury protection coverage is available on car insurance plans to pay for medical expenses in the event of an accident, regardless of fault. Similarly, MedPay is an add-on to your car insurance policy that can cover the costs of medical expenses related to vehicular accidents. Unlike PIP, MedPay applies to pedestrians, bicyclists, and riders of public transportation.
Negotiating with the hospital
If you still find yourself with mounting medical bills, one option to consider is to simply ask the hospital’s billing department for options. Most hospitals would much rather you come to them for assistance than just fail to pay your bills. If you know you won’t be able to afford the bills you’re being charged, you may be able to negotiate for reduced charges or agree to set up a payment plan until you’ve received any settlement.
Getting help from an attorney
If you were planning to seek advice or assistance from a Personal Injury NY attorney regarding your accident, don’t hesitate to do so. An attorney can do more for you than just filing an insurance claim or lawsuit. For example, a personal injury attorney may be able to help solve your pressing financial issues by negotiating with the hospital on your behalf. In many cases, an attorney can request that a hospital or other medical provider put a hold on your bills until you receive any anticipated settlement.
Regardless of the method you end up pursuing, make an effort to get your bills squared away rather than ignoring them. Even if you do end up with a settlement or jury award to pay for your medical bills eventually, you don’t want to take a financial hit in the meantime.
