For many people, filing a claim after an accident is done out of necessity. Medical bills pile up quickly and can create financial hardships for victims. Regardless of the difficulty, people still need to get medical treatment, and there are ways of paying your bills before and after your settlement.
1. Private Insurance
If you have private insurance, the company will most likely cover your medical expenses. However, make sure to tell them the injuries stem from an accident, and that you intend on suing because they will want compensation for paying your bills now.
2. Personal Injury Protection
Many auto insurance policies have PIP or personal injury protection. If your plan has PIP coverage, then you can use it to cover some of your medical costs. As with private insurance, you will most likely have to repay your coverage out of your settlement.
3. Medicare or Medicaid
Medicare and Medicaid are government health programs, and they will cover your accident injuries, but with a catch. If you have PIP coverage, then you must use these funds first. As with PIP and private insurance, you may need to repay coverage out of a settlement.
4. Savings
You can also tap into your savings to cover medical costs if you do not want to use your insurance. While using the money may hurt now, it may benefit you later when you receive a settlement. You may wish to speak with your financial planner or attorney before choosing to go this route.
5. Personal Loan or Gift
You can apply for a personal loan, or you can borrow money from friends or family. You may have family willing to give you the cost of rehabilitation. Depending on your method for receiving funds, you may not be required to repay the sum out of your settlement.
6. Attorney Liens
You can speak with your attorney about liens if you do not have coverage or the finances to receive medical care. Attorney liens are promises to medical providers that they will receive payment first from any settlement before you. An attorney lien is an excellent way to get the care you need immediately.
While you will most likely always have to pay your medical bills out of a settlement, rest assured that there are many ways to receive the treatment and care you need to recover from your injuries. Contact a lawyer, like a personal injury lawyer from Davis & Brusca, LLC, to discuss your claim and options for paying your medical expenses.
