Do You Have to Pay Your Primary Health Insurance Company Back if They Cover Your Car Accident Injuries?

When you get injured in a car crash in Georgia, you won’t have time to wait for the other driver’s insurance to approve your claim. If you have car accident injuries, you need medical treatment right away. When you go to the emergency room, they may say you need surgery. Even if you don’t, the emergency room visit itself can cost thousands of dollars. If you have primary health insurance, you’ll have no choice but to have them cover your medical bills.

When you check into the E.R., they’re going to have you fill out paperwork. This paperwork is going to ask for your insurance information. It will also you if your injuries were caused by any sort of accident. If you check yes, your treatment will still be covered. However, the insurance company is going to demand that they be reimbursed by the defendant or their insurance carrier.

While your insurance company may be willing to cover your initial care, they aren’t doing this out of the goodness of their heart. They fully expect to be paid back. Once you settle or win your case, they will be one of the first people to be reimbursed. They may even decide to file a lien against your lawsuit to ensure payment. This can become very complicated. That’s why you’re better off having an experienced automobile accident lawyer in Augusta, Georgia handle your case.

Keep Track of Your Medical Bills for Your Car Accident Injuries

You may need extensive medical treatment after your Georgia car accident. For example, you may be lucky and find out that you didn’t suffer any serious injuries. The only bills you’ll receive is for the ambulance ride and visit to the emergency room. Other people aren’t so lucky They may end up needing multiple surgeries and physical therapy after a car accident. This will become very expensive. If your insurance company covers hundreds of thousands in medical bills, they’ll expect to be paid back.

When your attorney takes your case, give them copies of any bills you’ve received. Make sure you also give them your explanation of benefit forms. These are the letters you get from your health insurance company that say “This is Not a Bill.” You may be tempted to throw them out. Do not do that. These letters tell your attorney how much your insurance company has covered. You’ll need to track this so you can pay them back when you settle your case.

The Insurance Company Can File a Lien Against Your Lawsuit

Often times, your insurance company may file a lien against your lawsuit to protect themselves. This is very likely if you are on Medicare or Medicaid. They want to make sure they’re paid back when you settle your case or collect on your civil judgment. If you decide not to sue, the insurance company can sue on your behalf. You don’t have a right to give away their money. Once they cover your medical treatment, they will expect reimbursement. If you settle for too little money, you could end up owing them money out of pocket. Your Augusta car accident attorney will make sure this doesn’t happen.

Call an Experienced Injury Lawyer in Georgia Right Away

If you’ve suffered car accident injuries, you’re going to need help. While your primary health insurance company may cover your medical treatment, they will want to be paid back. This means they’ll have a say in your lawsuit. If you settle your case, you need to make sure you get enough to pay off your medical bills. The insurance company may even file a lien against your lawsuit. They want to protect themselves in case you settle your case and don’t pay them back.

Because this can get so difficult to keep track of, it’s a good idea to call our office right away. Talk to an experienced injury lawyer in Augusta who can review your case. They can look to see what kind of bills you’ve racked up with your primary health insurance company. They’ll also make sure your insurance carrier is paid back when you do settle your case. Call today and schedule your initial consultation. You can sit down with a lawyer who’s handled dozens of cases just like yours. They’ll answer any questions you may have. They can also give you an idea of what your case is worth. The initial consultation is free and you don’t pay a dime until your case is settled.