After a car accident, you should seek immediate medical attention. If an ambulance is on the scene, they may take you to the emergency room. The resulting medical bills can seem intimidating, especially if you have to pay your medical bills upfront. However, there are several options available to cover the cost of a visit to the emergency room.
Health Insurance
You can use your health insurance to pay for your visit to the emergency room. However, you will still be responsible for covering the deductible or co-pay associated with your policy.
After an auto accident, hospitals, ambulances, or doctor’s offices may not require immediate payment. Instead, they may provide care, and later work out a payment plan with your health insurance company. Your health insurance may cover the cost of an ambulance ride as well.
Auto Insurance
After an accident, your auto insurance can cover your E.R. visit. You should use your auto insurance before you resort to your health insurance. Consequently, if you use your health insurance prior to your auto insurance, your health insurance will have a claim on a portion of your settlement. They may also pursue your auto insurance company to receive compensation.
In the case that you exceed the auto insurance policy limits, you can use your health insurance. However, the treatment covered through your health insurance will depend on your policy.
Personal Injury Protection
If you live in a no-fault state, you will have access to PIP coverage in the case of an accident. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) was developed to help individuals pay for necessary medical treatment. Thus, PIP coverage does not require you to pay a deductible, however, it does have a policy limit that varies by state.
Insurance Settlement
In the case that you pay for medical treatment out of pocket, you can request compensation be included in your settlement agreement. You must keep all bills associated with these expenses and submit them in your settlement demand packet.
Letter of Protection
A letter of protection can be issued by your attorney to the medical provider. What this will do is place a lien on your medical bills and stop them from going to collections while you settle your case.
Med Pay
Med Pay is an optional provision offered by some auto insurance companies. If your health insurance does not cover the entirety of your medical expenses, med pay may cover the remaining fees. Coverage through med pay applies to the policyholder, the occupants of the policyholder’s vehicle, and those driving the policyholder’s vehicle with permission.
Furthermore, there are two types of med pay coverage, primary and secondary. Primary coverage has a higher policy limit as compared to secondary coverage. However, secondary coverage is only available to those who already have health insurance. This coverage will pay the deductible or co-pay associated with your health insurance policy, as well as bills that have exceeded your health insurance policy limits.
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