How Do You Pay for Medical Bills When Your Personal Injury Case Is Pending?

If you’re injured in an accident through the negligence of someone else, waiting for the insurance company to settle your claim can be frustrating. There might be many reasons it takes so long. This can work in your favor, because once you settle a personal injury insurance claim, you don’t get another chance to get any more money. If you have more bills down the road, you’re out of luck. Of course, the insurance company doesn’t want to pay any more than they have to. Dragging your case out can make it easier for them to settle at a lower amount. It can be difficult to pay your bills during this time. Here are some things to know.

Why Doesn’t the Insurance Company Pay Your Bills as They Occur? 

Medical offices and facilities hold you responsible for your medical bills, regardless of how the injury occurred. Your doctor’s office cannot bill a third party for your bills (except your own health insurance or workers’ comp) due to privacy laws and other considerations. In a personal injury case, the other insurance company can’t pay your bills as they come in, because it’s not your insurance. This makes you wholly responsible for your bills until the case is settled. Here are some options:

• Use your own personal health insurance to pay your medical bills. You may be required to pay your health insurance back once the case is settled, but you won’t have the stress of collections.
• Work out an arrangement with the medical provider to a minimal amount on the bill until the case is settled. Some providers will work with you.
• Talk to your attorney about how to manage your medical debt until the case is settled.
• Check with your own auto insurance policy to see if you have any recourse toward paying your medical expenses.
• Ask the hospital if you’re eligible for financial assistance.
• Apply for Medicaid through your state.

Don’t Put off Dealing with Your Medical Bills 

Unfortunately, the medical bills are your responsibility. Medical facilities often don’t wait very long to turn over bills to collections. Even though you may be dealing with a lot of stress, you need to discuss these bills with the providers to try to find a solution that doesn’t affect your credit too much. A personal injury lawyer may be able to help you come up with a way to keep your medical bills from going into collections. Make an appointment to discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer, like from Davis & Brusca, today.