LEGALLY REVIEWED BY
Michael Hersh and Ian Kirtman, Trial Attorneys
October 24, 2024
Attorneys Michael Hersh and Ian Kirtman are experienced personal injury attorneys who have won their clients more than $100 million in verdicts and settlements throughout their 30 years of experience.
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Whether you were involved in a motor vehicle accident, slip-and-fall, pedestrian accident, or any other incident caused by an at-fault party, you may have the right to file a personal injury claim. While a personal injury claim allows you to seek recovery for compensation for losses you have suffered, like medical expenses, many victims do not realize that these funds will not be awarded until the completion of the claims process. If you have medical bills you need to pay while you wait for your personal injury claim to resolve in Florida, a personal injury lawyer can help you understand your options.
At Hersh Kirtman Injury Law, the personal injury lawyers at our firm are dedicated to providing legal counsel to victims who have been injured in an accident and seeking compensation to help them pay for their medical bills, among other things. With the help of our trusted legal team, we can help you understand the options you have to pay for any medical bills relating to your accident while you wait for your settlement to discharge at the completion of the claims process.
Paying for Medical Bills Before a Personal Injury Settlement Is Discharged
One of the reasons filing a personal injury claim is so important after an accident is that victims who are injured in these incidents often incur costly medical bills that they should not have to pay for out-of-pocket. While you wait for the personal injury process to complete and for compensation to hopefully be recovered, you should be aware of bills being incurred and understand your options for payment.
After a negligent party causes an accident that leaves you injured, you can pay for your medical bills in the following ways while you wait for the Florida claims process to resolve:
Utilize Your Health Insurance
Health insurance is one option you may have to pay for medical bills incurred due to your personal injury accident. While some insurance companies will not pay your bills directly and will instead reimburse you, each provider has a different process, so it is important that the medical providers who are treating you have your health insurance provider’s information.
People often presume that if they have a claim, no medical bills should be paid until the claim resolves. That is incorrect; medical bills incurred may become due when treatment is received, despite an ongoing personal injury claim. If you have health insurance, it should pay for the medical bills, as it normally would do. However, there may be an obligation to reimburse the health insurer at the end of the case, if there is a recovery.
Medicaid or Medicare
If you have Medicare and Medicaid, these are avenues to have medical expenses paid, even during the pendency of the claim. However, it should be noted that you may be required to pay this insurance back if your claim is later resolved.
MedPay or PIP Coverage
MedPay and Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, are also mechanisms that may cover medical expenses. MedPay is an insurance policy benefit that pays the victim or the victim’s doctors for necessary medical treatment. PIP coverage pays for up to a certain amount of medical care after a car crash, regardless of fault. If you have PIP coverage, which is required under Florida law, you file a claim under your own policy, and this pays for medical expenses before your health insurance.
Negotiation With the Medical Provider
In some circumstances, you may be able to negotiate with the medical provider who has treated you for a reduced rate for services or get on a payment plan while you wait for your personal injury claim to resolve.
When it comes to ensuring that you are awarded the fair compensation you are owed for your personal injury accident, it is crucial that you have the help of a trusted and experienced lawyer on your side.
Get Help Paying Back Your Medical Expenses After a Personal Injury Accident
Being injured in a personal injury accident of any kind can be traumatizing and overwhelming. To ensure that you get fair compensation for your injuries and losses, our experienced personal injury lawyers can help you build a strong claim.
At Hersh Kirtman Injury Law, we provide clients with the dedicated representation they need to help ensure their personal injury case is successful. To schedule a free case evaluation with one of our Florida personal injury lawyers, contact us today by filling out our contact form or giving us a call at (561) 208-3700.