How Do You Handle Medical Bills While Your Settlement is Pending?

Mar 31,2018

Your personal injury claim has been filed, but you are still awaiting a settlement. Meanwhile, the medical bills are starting to arrive, and you need to pay them. How do you deal with these bills while your settlement is pending?

There are a few options for handling your medical bills while you are awaiting a personal injury settlement.

Med Pay. California does not require drivers to carry Medical Pay Benefits coverage, or Med Pay. However, many drivers opt to carry this insurance, as it covers all the reasonable and necessary medical bills of anyone who was in your vehicle at the time of the accident. Med Pay should usually pay your bills up front, so you should not have to wait until your claim is settled to have your medical bills covered.
Health Insurance. You can also have your health insurance cover your medical bills while your settlement is pending. Your health insurance company will then likely be reimbursed out of the settlement money.
Out of Pocket. If you do not have any insurance that will cover the cost of your medical bills, you might have to pay them out of pocket. If you do not have the cash to pay them out of pocket, discuss your options with your personal injury attorney. Your attorney might be able to convince the medical provider of bill collection agency to put their collection efforts on hold until your case is settled. If that is not possible, your attorney should be able to help you work out a payment plan or reduction agreement with the medical provider.

If you have any medical bills that are not covered by your insurance, be sure to keep an organized record of them. Your personal injury attorney can help you figure out how to deal with these bills while your case is pending.

“It can be tempting to accept the insurance company’s first settlement offer, especially if you are overwhelmed with medical bills. However, you should consult with your attorney before settling, to ensure you receive fair compensation,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today at (760) 777-7777 for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.