Medical Bills – Who Pays?
Randy Rozek • December 21, 2009
Question: I was involved in a car accident and have been injured. I am receiving medical treatment for my injuries. Can you help me determine who should be paying my medical bills as they are incurred?
Answer: The insurance company for the person who caused your injuries has no legal obligation to pay your medical bills as they are incurred. They would prefer to string you along and settle everything at one time at the end of the case. So do not hold out for the other person’s insurance to cover your immediate bill payments. Instead, do the following:
- If you were in the course of your employment at the time of your injury, then your bills should be submitted to your employer’s workers compensation carrier.
- If you were not on the job at the time of the injury but did have health insurance, then submit your bills to your own health insurance company. Your health insurance carrier will likely have contracts with the majority of medical providers in the area that allow them to pay the provider at a reduced rate. While your health insurance carrier will always claim a right to get paid back out of any settlement at the end of the case, you will at least benefit from the reduced rate for service. Payments by your health insurance also helps you to avoid collections and poor credit resulting from unpaid medical bills. (For more information see Pages 9-12 of my book).
- You should also call you car insurance company and ask if you have “Medical Payment Coverage.” If you do have Medical Payment Coverage then this should be used for any deductibles, prescriptions or out-of-pocket medical expenses that are not covered by your health insurance policy.
- If you had no insurance available to pay your medical bills as they are incurred, then it will be important for you to find a doctor that will treat you and await payment until your case is resolved. Some physicians will accept a “Letter of Protection” from your attorney indicating that the doctor will be paid out of any settlement proceeds.
For additional information on what you should do if you have been injured, order a free copy of the Consumer’s Guide Personal Injury Claims in Wisconsin.
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