8 Tips To Handle Your Medical Bills In A Personal Injury Claim

Medical bills can pile up quickly after a personal injury, leaving many wondering how they’ll pay. In the United States alone, nearly 1 in 4 people struggle with medical debt. 

If you’ve been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t have to drain your savings or go into debt to cover costs. You can take steps to reduce expenses and get the compensation you deserve. 

This article provides ten tips to help you handle medical bills after a personal injury claim. Following this advice can alleviate financial stress so you can focus on healing.

1. Understand what expenses your claim may cover 

Many accident-related expenses may be recoverable if you are pursuing compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. These can include ambulance fees, hospital bills, costs for surgery, medications, physical therapy, medical equipment, and more. 

When pursuing a personal injury claim, your professional personal injury lawyer can advise you on what specific expenses will likely be covered. Having this knowledge upfront can give you peace of mind that your bills will eventually be paid through a settlement or court award.

In addition to the advice of your local attorney, it’s beneficial to leverage the expertise of renowned personal injury law firms that deal with a range of cases across the country. One such resource is Sokolove Law, which provides legal services across the United States. Specializing in various areas of personal injury law, including mesothelioma, birth injuries, nursing home abuse, and cases related to dangerous drugs, they can offer guidance and help ensure that you’re considering all possible recoverable expenses in your claim. 

2. Negotiate bills and rates

You may be able to negotiate down the amount you owe on medical bills related to your injury. First, make sure the charges accurately reflect the treatment received. Call the billing office and politely but firmly ask for a reduction if they seem excessive. Stress you’re willing to pay, but the current amount would pose a huge financial burden. 

Your attorney can advise you on what specific expenses will likely be covered. Having this knowledge upfront can give you peace of mind that your bills will eventually be paid through a settlement or court award.

3. Ask about payment plans or financial assistance 

If you need help to keep up with medical bills pre-settlement, inquire with the billing offices about payment plans or financial assistance. Many providers are willing to arrange affordable installment plans so you can gradually pay what you owe over time. 

Additionally, some write off part of the balance for low-income patients or those facing hardship. It never hurts to explain your situation and politely ask about options to make costs more manageable. They want to get paid eventually, so payment plans are usually preferable to non-payment.

4. Avoid using insurance if possible

When pursuing a liability claim, it’s often best not to submit accident-related medical bills to your health insurer. Doing so can complicate the claims process and potentially reduce your compensation. 

The at-fault party should pay these expenses, not your insurer. One exception is if you have bills piling up that you absolutely can’t pay out-of-pocket right now. In this case, submit them to insurance but keep meticulous records. Your attorney can then seek reimbursement from the insurer after settlement. 

5. Don’t hesitate to hire a medical billing advocate

If you find the medical billing process confusing or overwhelming, consider hiring a medical billing advocate. These professionals specialize in negotiating bills, spotting errors, appealing insurance claim denials, securing payment plans, and more. Their expertise can provide immense relief when you already have enough to worry about in the aftermath of an accident. 

6. Ask providers to wait for payment until after settlement

Some medical providers may agree to wait to be paid until after you receive your injury settlement or award. This takes the pressure off you to pay large sums out-of-pocket before your claim resolves. 

Explain your situation and that you expect compensation down the road – but need more time. Offer to sign a “letter of protection” confirming they will be paid when you get your settlement or judgment. Not all will agree, but it never hurts to ask politely. Understandably, smaller individual providers are more likely to approve than large hospitals. But you can always try explaining how the delay would greatly help.

7. Explore financing options if necessary 

Medical financing may be a last resort option if other cost-lowering tactics aren’t enough. Some companies offer loans to cover medical expenses not covered by health insurance. These loans often have lower interest rates than alternatives like credit cards. Compare terms carefully as they vary. The application process is also usually quicker and more flexible than regular bank loans. 

While financing should be viewed as a last option, having it available can provide a safety net if your bills become unmanageable before settlement. Just be cautious of high fees.

8. Understand the timing of reimbursement 

Finally, know that full reimbursement of medical expenses often doesn’t occur until after settlement negotiations conclude or a court judgment is reached. So you may need to pay some bills out-of-pocket temporarily and wait months or years for compensation. This is normal but can cause financial stress. That’s why utilizing the other strategies in this article is so crucial. The good news is that outstanding medical bills related to your injury can finally be paid once your claim resolves. Tally all these expenses carefully along the way with your attorney’s assistance. Proper documentation will help ensure you receive the maximum reimbursement you deserve.

Conclusion

Coping with medical bills after an accident you didn’t cause can be challenging. But implementing these tips will help you take control of the situation and reduce financial strain. Carefully review all charges, negotiate costs, establish payment plans, delay using insurance if possible, and consult a medical billing advocate or attorney. 

Understand which expenses your claim should cover and maintain diligent records. While reimbursement takes time, the at-fault party should ultimately pay your injury-related costs. Staying proactive will put you in the best position to handle bills responsibly until you receive compensation.

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