What To Do With Medical Bills After An Injury
What To Do With Medical Bills While Awaiting A Settlement
The first step towards receiving compensation for an injury is filing a personal injury claim. Reaching a settlement is the next step, and this process often takes months. In some cases, a trial is necessary, and this can take multiple years. While all this is happening, medical bills for treatments received after the injury pile up, and paying these can be difficult if compensation is not immediately received.
Paying medical bills can be even more challenging if an injury prevents you from earning at your job. Plus, you may experience stress caused by the situation, which only exacerbates health issues, slowing the recovery process and putting you at potential greater risk of developing additional medical problems.
If you’re in Minnesota and you’re awaiting compensation for an injury, don’t navigate the process alone. Get our trusted and experienced injury attorneys to help you. They’ve been delivering top-notch legal assistance for individuals in and around Minnesota for years. If you’re worried that you can’t pay personal injury medical bills before you receive compensation, reach out to us now.
The Options For Those In Minnesota
Under Minnesota law, an injured individual has options before a settlement is reached or case won:
Health Insurance – Some or all of the expenses incurred from the injury can be covered up to the limits of your policy. A policyholder will still have to pay a deductible. An insurance company could also file a lien on the policyholder’s settlement, which means the insurance company would be reimbursed once the policyholder receives their compensation.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance – This is used often to cover at least part of an injured party’s medical bills. As Minnesota is a no-fault state, one can use PIP coverage regardless of who’s at fault for the accident. PIP policyholders are also covered as passengers and pedestrians. Additionally, PIP insurance is advantageous in that policyholders aren’t required to reimburse their insurers after receiving compensation.
Asking A Health Care Provider To Defer Payment
A health care provider could also defer payment for an injured party, and most will agree to this arrangement. Payments for treatments, surgeries, X-rays, medication, and/or rehabilitation may all be deferred. An injured party will be required to sign what’s known as a letter of protection, and this will obligate them to repay once they receive compensation for their personal injury claim. If compensation is not won, a signee is still responsible for the balance due, and failure to pay almost always results in a lawsuit. This is why consulting a personal injury lawyer before signing anything is a good idea.
Medicare Or Medicaid
Both Medicare and Medicaid can be used to cover the costs of medical treatment after an injury. Reimbursement will be required, however, as these are health insurance programs.
Our Injury Attorneys Are Waiting To Help
Reach out to our Minnesota injury attorneys now if you are waiting to receive compensation or you would like to file a claim. The initial consultation is free!