Personal Injury Attorney
You have been in negotiations for weeks, trying to hash out an agreement to cover your injuries from an accident. Your lawyer is doing their best, but the insurer is seemingly uncooperative. Meanwhile, your medical bills are piling up, and the specialist you need to see has just informed you that they require payment before they can continue your treatment. What are you going to do? You haven’t been able to work, and your savings are almost gone. Is there any way to pay for the treatment you so desperately need? Yes, you actually do have a few options to help you through your current financial situation.
Health Insurance
First, you can talk with your health insurance provider, explaining that your injuries were sustained in an accident, and you are currently in negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurer. Your insurance may cover the cost of your medical expenses. However, these payments will be earmarked, and once you receive your settlement or judgment, the insurer will expect repayment.
Medicare and Medicaid
Second, if you do not have insurance, you might qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. Both of these government-provided plans will help to cover the expenses of your medical treatment. However, they will also require that you use the full amount of your personal injury coverage from your auto insurer before giving assistance.
Personal Injury Coverage
Third, almost all auto insurance policies have personal injury protection built into the plan. While the coverage varies by provider, when you are involved in an accident, this portion of your auto policy should be one of the first places you look for assistance in paying your medical expenses. Unfortunately, personal injury coverage does not allow you to pick which bills are paid first, meaning that you do not have control over the funds.
Attorney Liens
Last, if all other options fail, you can turn to your attorney, especially if your case is pretty simple. Your lawyer can provide a letter to your doctors and other medical practices that essentially acts as a loan against your potential settlement or judgment. Therefore, you can receive treatment before receiving your settlement or reward. Then, upon receipt, your attorney and then the medical practices will be paid first.
While it can seem daunting and like there is no hope when fighting a personal injury claim, just know that there are ways to continue to get the medical treatment you need even when your cash flow is running low. To discuss payment options further, contact a personal injury lawyer, like a DC personal injury lawyer.
Thanks to Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. for their insight into how to pay your medical bills during a personal injury claim.