Should I turn all my bills into my health insurance even though the other driver was at fault? / ¿Debo entregar todas mis facturas a mi seguro de salud a pesar de que el otro conductor fue culpable?

Clients often ask why they should use their own health insurance to pay their medical bills after an accident if they were not at fault. One of the benefits of using your own health insurance is that your medical bills are paid now rather than later. Many times, the medical bills end up at a collection agency waiting for the “at-fault” insurance company to pay, damaging your credit. Also, medical providers do not want to wait for the outcome of a case to get paid.

Another benefit to having your health insurance pay is that your treatment will not be delayed. If you use your health insurance, you have the ability to seek the treatment needed. You are able to get the testing and see providers as recommended by your treating physician. You will not have to wait for the approval of the “at-fault” insurance company. Many medical providers and specialists require patients to have health insurance before they will provide treatment.

When your claim is coming to a close, your attorney should contact your health insurance and request an itemized subrogation lien. At the time of settlement, the subrogation lien from your health insurance will be repaid using a portion of your settlement. Most of the time, the health insurance company will reduce their repayment amount to assist in getting the claim settled. This also becomes a benefit to you as the amount reimbursed is lower than the amount actually paid.

If you need help getting your providers to bill your health insurance or if you have questions, let us help. This is what we do and we want you to worry about getting better, not how the bills will be paid. Call us at 618-254-0055, we can help.