Should I Pay Medical Bills During My Personal Injury Case?

CALL (800) 863-5312 to talk with a Medical care expense attorney near you

After suffering injuries in an accident, you may face extensive medical bills. These are your responsibility to pay, even if it means taking money out of your own pocket. However, a personal injury lawyer from Zinda Law Group can determine whether your medical expenses may be covered later by insurance, a settlement with the defendant, or a judgment award in your favor. 

The precise amount you may have to pay depends on the facts of your case. A medical care expense attorney can begin to analyze your case when you meet for your first, 100% free consultation. Call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 and schedule your case evaluation with an experienced personal injury attorney today. 

How do Medical bills get paid? 

Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance, and car insurance often cover medical expenses for accident victims. However, victims who receive money from one of these agencies to pay medical bills and then later recover a settlement often have to reimburse the agency that covered the bills. 

In this situation, speaking with a personal injury attorney might benefit the victim so they can learn the precise amount they may be required to repay. An experienced personal injury lawyer would explain what to expect before and after you receive your settlement or award money. 

Car Insurance

If your automobile insurance covered your medical charges, the insurance would probably want you to pay back those amounts if you later won a settlement for your medical bills. In most cases, insurers have a contractual right to be reimbursed for the bills they have paid for the victim. This reimbursement is typically pursued through a process known as subrogation. 

Health Insurance

Like auto insurance, your health insurance would typically require reimbursement when a third party was at fault, and you obtained a settlement. Some states have insurance laws that prohibit health insurance companies from subrogation. An attorney can help you understand whether there are any restrictions on subrogation in your state.

Medicare and Medicaid

If Medicare or Medicaid paid for your medical bills, they would most likely ask for reimbursement if you receive a settlement. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the person who got the settlement is usually sent a demand letter for the amount of money owed.

Most cases involving Medicare and Medicaid involve elder care, including nursing homes. If your loved one has medical bills because of mistreatment in a nursing home and those bills were paid for by Medicare or Medicaid, you should consult with a personal injury lawyer to find out whether you will be held liable for those costs.

Workers’ Compensation

If your claim was based on a work injury for which you received workers’ compensation, you will most likely be required to reimburse after a settlement or award for damages. A workers’ compensation attorney is helpful to clients in this position who risk paying back too much money or losing their benefits. 

Medical Liens in Personal Injury Cases

Whoever paid for your medical expenses may issue a medical lien after you receive your settlement to recoup these expenses from you. A lien is a right to demand that a debt be repaid. 

Such liens may be issued by a medical provider, such as a hospital or doctor’s office. The government (Medicaid, Medicare, and workers’ compensation) and an insurance provider may also issue liens.

A medical lien will immediately deduct your outstanding medical debt from your settlement. With a lawyer’s aid, you might be able to reduce the price of your medical bills or medical lien. 

To check that the hospital is not overcharging you, an attorney might carefully evaluate your medical bills and statements from debt collectors. Even after you have paid off any outstanding medical debt, a skilled personal injury lawyer will know how to optimize your personal financial relief.

Can you negotiate the cost of your medical bills down?

Yes, you can negotiate the cost of your medical bills. In a recent survey conducted by LendingTree, more than 90% of people who’ve negotiated a medical bill have had that bill reduced. Considering how commonplace bargaining is in our society (e.g., haggling while buying a car, negotiating salary, or at the flea market), why not try to reduce the cost of your medical bills?

According to Michelle Rice, chief external affairs officer at the National Hemophilia Foundation, “billing departments of health care facilities and medical offices are used to negotiating.” 

Therefore, she said, “You shouldn’t hesitate to ask for a reduction if a medical bill is too high for you or your family.” To help with the negotiation process, contact a personal injury lawyer who can form a negotiation strategy for you. 

Need Help? Contact A Personal Injury Lawyer At Zinda Law Group!

At Zinda Law Group, our personal injury lawyers can analyze the facts of your case and determine your financial obligations related to your injury. We have the ability to guide you through each step of the legal process, from the initial investigation to the final judgment. 

To schedule your 100% free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney, contact us today at (800) 863-5312. You will not pay anything unless we get a favorable outcome for your case; that’s our “No Win, No Fee” guarantee. 

Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.