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Yes, you should use any available health insurance during a Georgia personal injury case. Brodie Law Group recommends using all available coverage for accident-related treatment when your plan covers the care and your provider accepts it. Do not delay medical treatment while waiting for a settlement. Health insurance can help pay covered bills while your claim is pending; the at-fault party’s liability insurer addresses medical expenses and other damages through a later settlement.
Health insurance and the at-fault party’s liability insurance serve different purposes:
Health insurance helps pay for covered treatment while your injury claim is pending. Your plan’s deductibles, copays, network requirements, and other coverage rules will still apply.
Liability insurance addresses your medical expenses and other damages through a settlement or judgment rather than paying each bill as treatment occurs.
Using available health coverage can help you manage medical treatment costs without having to wait for your injury case to resolve.
Give your provider your health insurance information, keep your bills and Explanation of Benefits forms, and respond promptly if your health plan requests information about the accident.
Using health insurance does not, by itself, take away your right to seek compensation from the person who caused your injuries. Your claim may include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses.
However, the amount a provider bills is not automatically the amount you can recover. Depending on the law that applies to your case, insurance payment rates and adjustments may also be considered when evaluating medical expenses.
Separately, your health plan may have a right to repayment from your settlement. That can affect how much you receive after the case resolves. Your attorney will review the medical charges, insurance payments, and any repayment claims before settlement funds are distributed.
If your health plan pays for accident-related treatment, it may seek to recover some of those payments. Two terms often come up:
Subrogation means the plan seeks recovery from the party responsible for your injuries.
Reimbursement means the plan seeks repayment from money you receive through a settlement or judgment.
Whether the plan can recover anything depends on its terms and applicable state or federal law. A repayment request does not automatically mean the full amount is owed.
Brodie Law Group reviews these claims, checks whether the charges relate to your accident, and determines what repayment is legally required. Where appropriate, we may challenge unsupported charges and seek payment reductions. Reductions, however, are not guaranteed and depends on the provider and insurance plan.
If a provider says it will not bill your health insurance for accident-related treatment:
Ask why. Find out whether the issue involves network participation, your plan’s coverage, or the provider’s billing policy.
Contact your health plan. Ask about coverage for the treatment and available in-network providers.
Tell Brodie Law Group. We can help you understand how the proposed billing arrangement may affect your case.
Read before signing anything. Before agreeing to deferred payment, ask about the charges, when payment is due, and what you would owe if there is no settlement.
Other providers may accept your coverage. If you are considering changing doctors, discuss how to continue your care without interrupting necessary medical treatment. Your medical needs should always guide treatment decisions.
If you do not have health insurance, ask your provider about payment plans or financial assistance. Other coverage, such as MedPay after an auto accident, may also be available.
Some providers may agree to defer payment under a Letter of Protection (LOP). Availability depends on the provider and your injury case. An LOP does not make treatment free, and you will still owe the charges if there is no recovery.
Talk with Brodie Law Group before signing any agreement to pay for treatment from a future settlement.
For more information about payment options while your claim is pending, see Who Pays Medical Bills During a Personal Injury Case in Georgia?
Always follow your medical provider’s recommendations rather than waiting for your injury claim to settle. If you cannot afford treatment, tell your provider and Brodie Law Group as soon as possible so we can help you explore payment and coverage options.
Keep your scheduled appointments when possible. If you need to miss one, contact the provider to discuss rescheduling to avoid a gap in necessary medical treatment and care.
Understanding what insurance covers and what you still owe can be confusing while you are recovering from an injury. A Georgia personal injury lawyer can review the available coverage, help address billing questions, and evaluate any claims for repayment from your settlement.
Brodie Law Group reviews accident-related medical expenses and works to resolve valid liens and reimbursement claims. We explain how those obligations may affect the amount you receive so you can make informed decisions about your case and understand what payouts you may be entitled to.
Contact Brodie Law Group for a free injury case review. There are no upfront costs and there are no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.
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