Medical Bill Payment Following An Accident Injury
For anyone who has ever been injured in any type of accident, you know the questions that follow seem endless, regarding medical care, payment for medical care, lost wages, and so on. Here are a few common questions (and their answers) with regard to medial care payment following an injury that has resulted from an accident.
Will the doctors, hospitals and other medical facilities wait for payment if I am unable to pay my bills as they are incurred?
In most cases where there is no immediate method to pay medical bills as they are incurred, many doctors, hospitals, and other medical facilities will wait to be paid for their services when the case is finally resolved/by way of settlement or verdict in court. It is important to let medical providers know early in the process if you have no insurance or financial means to pay medical bills as they are incurred.
How does my lawyer make sure that the doctors and medical facilities will get paid?
Most lawyers have a policy of withholding money from the settlement or court verdict to pay doctors and medical facilities. Many doctors and medical facilities require that the patient/client sign a form (usually called a subrogation form, lien form, or letter of protection form), which allows the attorney to withhold enough money to pay medical bills directly from the insurance settlement proceeds.
Why won’t the insurance company for the person or company who caused my injuries automatically pay my medical bills as they occur?
Most insurance companies for the tortfeasor (the person, persons or company who caused your injuries) will not automatically pay medical bills as they occur. There are many reasons for this. One reason is that they do not want to spend a substantial amount of money for medical bills and then be faced with an unreasonable or excessive demand at the time of final settlement. In other words, they do not want to expend a substantial sum of money on medical bills and then be faced with the chance of defending a lawsuit. Secondly, most insurance companies want to conclude or settle the claim with one sum of money. Therefore, most liability insurance companies will wait for the letter of demand from your attorney and then try to conclude the case all at once with one payment.
For more information, call The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A. at 239-649-8050 or contact us.
