If you suffer an injury in a car accident, one of the questions you may ask is, “Who will pay for my medical bills?”
Since Illinois is not considered a “no-fault” state, you have to pay for your own medical care.
Although a personal injury settlement or a trial verdict would offer significant help, you won’t see any of the money until your case is resolved. Additionally, it is imperative to understand that the at-fault driver is not responsible for paying your ongoing medical expenses.
The following are several ways to pay for your medical bills after an auto accident:
- MedPay – Also known as medical payments coverage, it is a coverage option as part of your auto insurance policy. While the minimum amount of coverage you can obtain is $2,500, the maximum is up to $10,000. So if you get injured, your auto insurance company will cover your medical bills according to the amount of coverage you have, no matter who was at fault.
- Health insurance – Your health insurance company can apply contracted rates with your medical provider to cover your medical expenses. This means they will pay a portion of your rates, while your medical provider writes off the rest. However, you may still have to pay for copays or a deductible. Furthermore, a portion of your personal injury settlement is dedicated to reimbursing the health insurance company for their coverage.
- Liens – Rather than pay back the health insurance company after recover compensation once your case is resolved, you pay a liens holder. To ensure hospitals get reimbursed for the care they provide, they typically file liens right after treatment. You can enter a lien on a voluntary basis with the help of a lawyer to look over the contract. The benefit is you won’t be billed until your case ends.
- Cash – On rare occasions, another option is paying your medical bills up front with cash.
When you are trying to recover compensation from the other driver’s insurance company, remember they are not looking out for your best interests. They will find any way to either reduce your final settlement or deny your claim entirely.
At Schierer & Ritchie, LLC, our Peoria car accident attorneys can protect your rights and best interests. We can help you recover the financial compensation you deserve.
