When you’ve been involved in a car accident, a slip and fall accident, or some other type of mishap, it’s important to seek immediate treatment for any injuries. But, between diagnostic imaging and emergency treatment, plus long-term care and follow-up appointments, bills can really start to add up fast. If you were injured due to the reckless or negligent actions of another person or party, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
At the Cobb Personal Injury law firm, we’re here to help you get the money you deserve for your injuries. We have years of experience fighting for the rights of accident victims and we know how to get you the best possible outcome in your case. But insurance companies are known for dragging cases out to delay paying big insurance claims. In the meantime, depending on the severity of your accident, you could be facing significant medical bills. When faced with serious injuries after an accident, how do you pay for medical expenses?
How to Pay Bills While Waiting on Insurance Settlement
When it comes to paying medical bills while you wait for your insurance settlement, there are a number of available options. The best one for you will depend on a variety of factors, including your insurance coverage, your financial situation, and your support network. Some possible solutions include:
Using Your Health Insurance:
If you have health insurance, your policy may have provisions for covering accident-related medical expenses. Check with your insurance company to find out what is covered and how much of the expense you will be responsible for.
Using a Medical Credit Card:
If you have good credit, you may be able to use a medical credit card to pay for your accident-related expenses. These cards typically offer low or no interest rates for a certain period of time, making them a desirable option for people who are struggling to pay their bills.
Applying for a Loan:
If you don’t have good credit or you don’t want to put any more debt on your credit card, you may be able to get a loan from a bank or credit union to pay for your medical expenses. Again, make sure to shop around for the best interest rate and terms.
Asking Friends or Family for Help:
If you have friends or family members who are able to help, you may be able to borrow money from them interest-free. This can be a helpful short-term solution, but make sure to pay your loved ones back as soon as possible.
Seeking Financial Assistance from Charitable Organizations:
There are a number of charitable organizations that provide financial assistance to people who have been injured in accidents. A quick internet search should turn up a number of options that may be able to help.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit:
If the person or party responsible for your injuries is uninsured or doesn’t have the financial resources to pay for your medical expenses, you may be able to file a lawsuit against them. This is a last resort option and should only be considered if you have a good chance of winning the case.
No matter what option you choose, it’s important to act fast. The sooner you start dealing with your medical bills, the easier it will be to get them paid off. Contact the Cobb Personal Injury law firm today for a free consultation and we can help you get started on the path to financial recovery.
Paying for Medical Costs After a Car Accident
If you are hurt in a car accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical treatment. But once your injuries have been assessed and you’ve been released, you will need to start thinking about how to pay your medical bills. If you or a loved one has been involved in an automobile accident that is not your fault, the other driver (usually via his or her insurance company) is legally obligated to pay your medical expenses.
However, the other driver’s insurance will not pay in full upfront, and they won’t accept bills from your doctor or reimburse you for care while you wait for a settlement. Unfortunately, depending on the severity of your injuries and the details of your case, a settlement with the other driver’s insurance could take months, if not years, to complete.
Meanwhile, most doctors and hospitals want to get paid right away. And if you’re unable to pay medical bills, they could send you to collections.
Personal Insurance:
If you have health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, you should submit your doctor bills directly to their office. If you have “Medical Payment” insurance coverage (also known as “Med Pay”) through your own auto insurance policy, it can be utilized to reimburse you for any out-of-pocket expenses after health insurance has been paid, including deductibles or copays.
Your health insurance policy is likely to cover a portion of your medical expenses, but you may still be responsible for copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. If the accident was not your fault, you may be able to recover these out-of-pocket expenses through a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.
If you don’t have health insurance, you may still be able to get coverage through Medicaid or other government programs. If you don’t qualify for these programs, you will likely have to pay your medical bills out of pocket. Once again, if the accident was not your fault, you may be able to recover these expenses through a personal injury claim.
Attorney’s Lien:
If you have an insurance claim pending but don’t have health insurance, Med Pay coverage, or other means to pay for essential medical care, a third option might be available. In some cases, your attorney will sign paperwork with your doctors to defer medical billing until after your claim is settled. You will be given necessary medical treatment by the doctor and charged for services, but the doctor agrees to wait until your case is closed before demanding payment.
If you’ve already begun to receive medical bills, the Cobb Personal Injury law firm can keep your accounts out of collections.
This can be a great option if you are struggling to pay your bills while waiting for your auto accident case to close, as it will allow you to focus on getting better without the added stress of worrying about how you will pay for medical care. Forewarning: not everyone qualifies for this option.
Other Ways to Raise Money for Medical Bills:
If you’re still struggling to pay for medical care while your insurance claim is negotiated, crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe are popular for finding extra help with hospital bills and treatment costs.
Sites like these allow you to create a campaign and share your story with friends, family, and even strangers in order to collect donations. You can also look into personal loans or credit cards to pay for medical expenses.
Finally, if you have no other options available to you, some hospitals will work out a payment plan so that you can eventually pay off your medical bills.
Note: As of 2019, hospitals operating in the United States are required by law to provide clear, accessible pricing information online about the items and services they provide. You may be able to find more affordable treatment by going to another hospital.
No one wants to have to worry about how they will pay for medical care after an accident, but if you find yourself in this situation, it is important to know your options. By understanding the different ways to pay for medical expenses, you can focus on getting better without the added stress of financial worry.
Call Cobb Personal Injury and Get the Compensation You Deserve
If you have been injured in an accident and are struggling to pay for medical care, please don’t hesitate to contact an attorney for help. We will advise you on the best way to get the money you need to cover your expenses and outline your best options for getting reimbursed. When an accident happens, it’s important to take action as quickly as possible. Not only is it important to seek medical treatment for your injuries, but you should also begin the process of filing an insurance claim. This can be a daunting task, especially if you don’t have experience with the legal system.
The Cobb Personal Injury law firm is here to help you through every step of the process, from filing your claim to negotiating a settlement. We have years of experience fighting for the rights of accident victims and know how to get you the best possible outcome in your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.
