Who Pays My Medical Bills While My Claim is Pending?

While your personal injury claim is pending, your own insurance usually pays your medical bills first, starting with Utah’s required personal injury protection (PIP) and then your health insurance. The at-fault party’s insurer pays only after your claim settles or you win a jury verdict. Learn more about your medical bills with our Salt Lake City personal injury attorneys.

Personal Injury Protection Pays First After a Car Accident

Utah is a no-fault insurance state, which means that your own auto insurance pays for your initial injury-related expenses after a crash, no matter who was at fault. Every car insurance policy sold in the state must include at least $3,000 in PIP coverage per person. PIP pays your accident-related expenses regardless of who caused the crash, and it covers you, your household members, and passengers in your vehicle.

PIP provides several types of benefits after a car accident. Depending on your policy, it may cover:

• Medical and hospital bills
• A portion of lost wages
• Household services you can no longer perform
• Funeral expenses in fatal accidents

Between emergency room visits and follow-up care, $3,000 can run out very quickly. It is recommended to purchase PIP coverage above the state minimum, so you and your passengers have more protection if you are ever injured in a crash.

Health Insurance Covers Bills After PIP Runs Out

Once your PIP benefits are exhausted, your health insurance becomes the primary payer for your medical expenses. You are still responsible for deductibles, copays, and coinsurance, but you can recover these out-of-pocket costs in your final personal injury settlement or jury verdict.

Keep in mind that most health insurers have a right to reimbursement. If you recover compensation later, your insurer may be entitled to repayment from your settlement for the accident-related bills it paid. This process is called subrogation. Your health insurer typically asserts a claim or lien against your settlement, and you repay the amount it paid for your accident-related care when your case resolves.

Other Options for Covering Your Medical Costs

Some accidents do not involve motor vehicles or car insurance, and some medical costs can exceed the limits of the available policies. In these situations, other resources may help cover your treatment. These include:

• Workers’ compensation coverage, if you were hurt on the job
• Medical payments coverage through a property owner’s homeowner’s or business insurance policy
• Payment plans arranged directly with hospitals or clinics

An accident attorney in Salt Lake City can help you identify every source of coverage available to you and coordinate payments so your treatment can continue while your case moves forward.

How Does Your Settlement Repay Medical Bills?

The at-fault party’s insurance company does not usually pay medical bills as you receive treatment. Instead, it pays a lump sum when your claim settles, or a court awards a verdict. Outstanding bills, liens, and insurer reimbursement claims are deducted from that amount before you receive your share.

Get Help Managing Medical Bills with We Win Injury Law

Medical bills can pile up long before your claim resolves, and sorting out which insurer pays what can feel overwhelming. We Win Injury Law helps people across Utah coordinate PIP and health insurance benefits, communicate with medical providers, and negotiate liens so more of your settlement goes toward your recovery. If you are struggling to keep up with medical bills after an accident, contact us today and discuss your next steps with a Utah personal injury lawyer.