Personal Injury Lawyer
After a car accident, you may wait on the other driver’s insurance to pay your medical bills. Meanwhile, the bills pile up. The doctors, hospital, and therapists want their money. What are your options? It would be nice if you could just explain to the healthcare providers that you’re waiting on the insurance, but that is not usually how it works. Here are some things that you can do.
Use Your Personal Health Insurance
Since you are responsible for your medical bills after a car accident you can, and should, use your own health insurance to pay the bills. Even if the medical provider tells you that another insurance is primary, you should still have them file your personal health insurance. Make sure to save any bills you receive and track your co-pays. You will want to be able to verify your expenses later. Your health insurance company may expect to be paid back if you do receive a settlement from the other driver. Since nothing is guaranteed, this is the best option to make sure your bills are paid.
Check with Your Auto Insurance Coverage
If you have PIP and live in a no-fault state, you may have coverage for your medical bills through your own auto insurance policy. It might also be called “Med Pay.” Check with your own auto insurance policy to know whether you should file with them to pay your medical bills. It might seem like a long-shot, but you may have coverage that you aren’t aware of.
Negotiate with Your Healthcare Providers
If you don’t have insurance, your next option is probably to try and negotiate with the hospital or doctors. Most hospitals will send your account to collections if you aren’t dealing with it. You may be able make payments until the settlement comes in. As a last resort, you may want to sign an agreement with the healthcare provider that you agree to pay when you receive a settlement. This can keep your account out of collections and from hurting your credit.
Don’t Pay Anything
Although this is an option, it isn’t your best one. You may be stressed out from dealing with the accident and its aftermath, but you should try to find a way to deal with your medical bills. Your lawyer may be able to help you negotiate with the providers and find options that fit your needs. Talk to a lawyer, like a personal injury lawyer from Darrell Castle and Associates, PLLC, about your case to figure out what the next step you should take is.