Options for Paying Medical Costs Prior to Completion of Your Case
Options for Paying Medical Costs Prior to Completion of Your Case
You probably already know that if you are injured in an accident in which someone else is at fault, you can sue the responsible party and his/her insurance company to receive compensation for your medical expenses among other damages. However, the lawsuit can take a long time to complete, and in the interim, your medical bills may start coming due. How do you handle these bills while your case is still pending?
This can pose a significant problem, especially if your injuries are severe enough to prevent you from working, which can mean an existing strain on your finances. Contrary to popular belief, doctors and hospitals do not just send the bill to the responsible party or the insurance company while the case is pending.
There are several options that may be available to you, but some of them require an attorney’s assistance.
Health Insurance
Under certain circumstances, your regular insurance company may cover the injuries you sustained in the accident. However, the company may file a lien against your award from your lawsuit demanding that it receive a portion for the expenses that it has already covered. You should talk to the insurance company and/or your attorney to find out what your options are.
Assistance Programs
If your injuries have had a negative impact on your income due to your inability to work, you may qualify for financial aid from the hospital or federal Medicaid benefits. Medicaid is available, often on a temporary basis, to people with limited resources and income. There may also be local assistance programs available in your community.
Loans
You may be able to take out a personal loan to cover your medical bills until the completion of your case. Another option is litigation funding, which is a particular type of loan against the compensation you will receive at the finalization of your case.
Delayed or Contingency Billing
When you hire an attorney, he or she may be able to negotiate an arrangement on your behalf wherein you will not have to pay your medical bills until after the completion of your case. Another possibility is that your personal injury lawyer in Trenton, NJ can arrange for you to see physicians who will bill you on a contingency basis. In other words, if you do not win your case, the physician will not bill you at all. However, not all physicians offer this service.
Thanks to Davis & Brusca for their insight into personal injury claims and paying medical bills.