How to Handle Your Medical Bills After a Car Accident

Being injured in a car accident can turn your world upside down in an instant. According to Statista, roughly 2.3 million people are injured in auto accidents in the United States each year. If you or a loved one are part of this statistic, you likely now face the daunting challenge of navigating medical bills and insurance claims on top of recovering from injuries. The world of accident-related healthcare costs is confusing and frustrating. But there are steps you can take to ease the financial burden while dealing with doctors, insurers, and even lawyers. Here are some tips on how to handle medical bills after a car accident keeps costs under control.

Understand Your Insurance Coverage

The first step is to understand what medical coverage you have through your auto insurance policy. There are two main types of coverage:

Med Pay

Med Pay (or Medical Payments) coverage pays for medical expenses for you and your passengers, up to the limit set in your policy. This coverage kicks in regardless of who was at fault for the accident. Med Pay can help pay initial bills, before a settlement is reached.

PIP

PIP (Personal Injury Protection) provides coverage for medical expenses and lost wages, for both you and your passengers. Like Med Pay, PIP pays out regardless of fault. PIP may also cover other services like childcare expenses.

Know your coverage limits and what exactly each type covers, so you can take full advantage of them. According to research, 70% of people who file a personal injury claim receive some kind of payout from insurance.

Track All Medical Expenses

Keep detailed records of all bills related to the accident – doctor visits, physical therapy, medications, medical equipment, and so on. Also, track mileage for any medical-related driving. Documenting these expenses thoroughly will help if you need to negotiate a settlement later.

Use Your Health Insurance

Use your regular health insurance plan to help pay any medical bills not covered by your auto policy’s Med Pay or PIP. Health insurance likely won’t cover the entire amount, so maintain diligent notes on any out-of-pocket expenses.

Negotiate with Healthcare Providers

Attorney Bill Winters, a car accident lawyer in Lakeland, recommends not being afraid to negotiate pricing with doctors, clinics, or hospitals. Many inflate pricing, knowing insurance companies will haggle costs down. Ask for itemized bills and clarify any vagueness. Cash discounts are sometimes offered for paying upfront instead of billing insurance.

Seek Patient Financial Assistance

Non-profit hospitals are required to have financial assistance programs – ask about options like payment plans or discounted pricing based on income. Catholic hospitals often have generous assistance programs as well.

Consult with a Car Accident Attorney

An experienced personal injury attorney can help navigate legal options and ensure you receive fair compensation. According to research, people with attorneys receive settlements nearly 3 times higher than those without. Over 90% of people with attorneys receive payouts, compared to only 50% without representation.

Consider Legal Action

If insurance is not covering all accident-related medical costs, consider pursuing compensation through legal action. Half of auto injury cases settle within 14 months, faster than other types of cases. 67% of compensation for personal injury cases comes from settlements rather than awards at trial. Those who hold out for better deals can receive settlements nearly $31,000 higher than those who take initial offers. The median settlement for motor vehicle injury cases is around $16,000.

Dealing with healthcare expenses after an auto accident can be daunting. But being proactive about tracking costs, negotiating pricing, and exploring your legal options can help ease the financial burden. With some diligence and expert help, you can lessen the headaches associated with medical bills.

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