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Founding Member & Managing Partner at Gina Corena & Associates
Practice Areas: Personal Injury
Medical bills can start adding up soon after an accident, often before your personal injury claim is settled. This can leave you wondering who is supposed to pay for treatment in the meantime.
In most cases, the person who caused the accident does not pay your medical bills as they come in. Instead, health insurance, MedPay, Medicare, Medicaid, or other payment arrangements may cover some of the costs while your claim is pending.
Once a settlement is reached, unpaid medical bills, valid liens, or insurance repayment claims may need to be resolved from the settlement funds.
This guide explains how medical bills are handled before and after a personal injury settlement and what may affect the amount you receive.
While your claim is open, your medical bills still need attention. How they are paid depends on your insurance, the type of accident, and your medical provider.
Your health plan may pay for covered care after an accident. You may still owe a copay, deductible, or other part of the bill.
Some health plans may also have a right to be paid back if you later receive money for the same care.
MedPay is optional car insurance that can help pay medical costs after a crash, no matter who caused it.
Nevada auto insurers must offer at least $1,000 in MedPay coverage under NRS 687B.145. Drivers can choose whether to buy it.
Medicare or Medicaid may pay some eligible bills while your case is open. If you later receive money for the same injury, repayment rules may apply.
Medicare may make what it calls a “conditional payment.” It can later seek repayment after a settlement, judgment, or award. Nevada Medicaid also has recovery rights in certain cases.
Some providers may agree to wait for payment until the case ends. Nevada law also gives certain hospitals lien rights for unpaid care.
A lien is a legal claim against money recovered in the case. It does not mean every medical bill will automatically be taken from your settlement.
“A well-negotiated settlement should account for all medical expenses, both past and future, to ensure that the injured party isn’t left with unpaid bills.”
Yes. A personal injury settlement may include compensation for medical expenses caused by the accident.
This may cover an emergency room visit, hospital care, doctor visits, medicine, therapy, rehab, and other needed treatment. Future medical care may also be considered when there is medical support for it.
But the full settlement amount is not the same as the amount you take home. Attorney fees, case costs, valid medical liens, and repayment claims may need to be handled before the rest of the money is released to you.
Once the case settles, the next step is to find out what is still owed. Your lawyer may check unpaid bills, hospital liens, Medicare or Medicaid claims, and any repayment request from a health plan. Valid amounts are then handled as required.
Attorney fees and case costs are also paid under your fee agreement. The remaining settlement funds can then be released to you.
Future treatment should be reviewed before you accept a settlement. Once a claim is fully settled and released, you may not be able to ask the same defendant for more money if later care costs more than expected.
A small settlement can leave little money after medical costs are paid. Before the funds are divided, review each bill and claim carefully.
A lower balance is not guaranteed. The goal is to know what you truly owe before the settlement money is paid out.
Sometimes. A provider or lienholder may agree to accept less than the full amount owed. Start by asking for an itemized bill. Check for repeat charges, missing insurance payments, or a balance that does not match your records.
You can then ask whether the provider offers a lower payoff or payment plan. If a lien is involved, your attorney may also discuss a possible reduction with the provider or lienholder.
The result will depend on the bill, the available settlement funds, and the party that is owed money.
“Negotiating medical bills can save thousands of dollars. Always review bills for errors and work with professionals to secure reductions.”
A personal injury lawyer does not pay your medical bills. The lawyer can help you understand how those costs affect your case.
This may include finding available insurance, tracking accident-related medical costs, checking liens, and making sure supported medical expenses are included in the claim.
An attorney may also review what must be repaid and ask providers or lienholders about possible reductions before the final funds are released.
Some unpaid bills, valid liens, or health plan claims may need payment from settlement funds. What you owe depends on your care, coverage, and case.
Yes. A settlement may include money for past medical care and supported future treatment caused by the injury, along with other losses allowed by law.
Health insurance, MedPay, Medicare, Medicaid, or a payment deal with a provider may help. The best source depends on your coverage and the accident involved.
Sometimes. A provider or lienholder may agree to take less. Any cut depends on the bill, the settlement amount, and who is owed.
You may be able to seek bill cuts, hospital aid, or other insurance. Any balance left will depend on the bills, liens, and deals in place.
Medical bills can affect both the value of an injury claim and the amount you receive at the end. Before you settle, it helps to know what has already been paid, what is still due, and which liens or repayment claims may apply.
If you were injured in an accident and have questions about your medical bills or settlement, Gina Corena & Associates can review your case and explain your options.
Contact us today to discuss your case or schedule a free consultation online.
As founder of Gina Corena & Associates, she is dedicated to fighting for the rights of the people who suffer life-changing personal injuries in car, truck and motorcycle accidents as well as other types of personal injury. Gina feels fortunate to serve the Nevada community and hold wrongdoers accountable for their harm to her clients.
