How Do I Pay Medical Expenses While My Case is Pending?
If you were involved in an accident, you might be concerned with how you are going to pay for medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses while your case is being processed. This can be particularly concerning for those who do not carry health insurance. Luckily, there are options that allow an injured person to seek medical treatment for injuries related to their accident without having to pay their provider while their claim is pending. In some specific cases, the injured person may also be able to obtain immediate reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses as well.
If you do not carry health insurance and were injured while working, your medical provider may accept what is referred to as a ‘letter of protection’ (LOP). A LOP is a legal document that is generally issued by your attorney to your doctor. This document states that the cost of services rendered for treatment related to the accident will be paid out of personal injury proceeds awarded after your claim is processed. In exchange, the treating physician agrees to defer payment of medical expenses that may become due while your case is pending. It is important to secure legal representation following an accident because most medical providers will only accept LOPs sent from your attorney.
If you have health insurance and have sustained an injury, your health insurance provider may provide payment for services rendered, depending on your specific plan. Nevertheless, depending on who was at fault in the accident (and the state in which your accident occurred), insurance providers tend to retain the right to obtain reimbursement from settlement proceeds for medical expenses paid that were related to the accident.
Separate from medical bills, the victim of an accident may incur other expenses that they must bear the cost of while in the claims process. These costs could include prescription co-pays, transportation to and from care providers, and rental car expenses, among others. Depending on the insurance coverage held by the parties involved, the injured person could obtain immediate compensation for reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of the accident. For this reason, is important to save any receipts for out-of-pocket expenses you have paid.
