In the wake of a sudden collision on the Downtown Connector or a busy intersection in Buckhead, your focus should be on healing. Unfortunately, the reality of the American healthcare system often forces medical bills to the forefront of your mind long before you are physically recovered. If you are watching the mail pile up with invoices from Grady Memorial or Emory University Hospital, you are likely asking: How do I pay my medical bills while waiting for a settlement?
Georgia is an “at-fault” state, which means the person who caused the accident is ultimately responsible for your damages. However, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will not pay your hospital bills as they arrive. They typically wait until your treatment is finished to offer a one-time, lump-sum settlement. To bridge that gap, you need a strategy. Working with experienced auto accident lawyers in Atlanta can help you navigate these options without draining your savings.
Using Your Own Health Insurance
The most common way to handle immediate costs is through your private or employer-provided health insurance. Some victims hesitate to use their health insurance because “the accident wasn’t my fault.” However, your health insurance is exactly what it sounds like—coverage for your health, regardless of how the injury occurred.
Using your health insurance ensures that your doctors are paid promptly and that you benefit from the “contractual adjustments” (the lower rates your insurer has negotiated with the hospital). It is important to note that if your health insurance pays for your care, it may have a right to “subrogation.” This means they can ask to be reimbursed for what they paid out of your final settlement. A skilled attorney can often negotiate these subrogation claims down to ensure more money stays in your pocket.
Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)
Georgia does not require Personal Injury Protection (PIP) like Florida or New York, but many Georgia drivers opt for a similar add-on called Medical Payments Coverage, or “MedPay.”
MedPay is a “no-fault” coverage on your own auto policy. If you have it, it will pay for your medical expenses (and those of your passengers) up to a certain limit—usually between $1,000 and $10,000—regardless of who caused the crash. Because MedPay does not have a deductible and pays out quickly, it is often the best first line of defense against smaller bills or your health insurance co-pays.
Understanding Medical Liens in Georgia
If you do not have health insurance or MedPay, you may feel like you have no way to access the specialized care you need, such as an MRI or physical therapy. This is where “medical liens” come into play. A medical lien is essentially a “treat now, pay later” agreement. Under O.C.G.A. § 44-14-470, Georgia law allows certain medical providers to file a legal claim against your future settlement proceeds.
In this arrangement, the doctor or hospital provides the necessary care without requiring payment upfront. In exchange, you and your attorney sign an agreement promising that the provider will be paid directly out of the settlement or jury award. This allows you to get high-quality treatment even if you are currently out of work due to your injuries.
Government Benefits: Medicare and Medicaid
If you are covered by Medicare or Medicaid, these programs will cover your accident-related treatment. However, the federal and state governments are very aggressive about being paid back. These “statutory liens” are non-negotiable in terms of existence, but an attorney can often negotiate the *amount* owed back to the government. Failing to properly handle a Medicare lien can result in the loss of your future benefits, so it is crucial to have legal oversight during this process.
How Simon Bridgers Spires Can Help
Navigating the financial aftermath of a car accident is often as stressful as the physical recovery. At Simon Bridgers Spires, we do more than just file lawsuits. We act as a shield between you and the billing departments of massive hospital systems. Our firm assists clients in several specific ways:
- Identifying All Coverage: We dig deep into your own insurance policies to find MedPay or Uninsured Motorist coverage you might not even know you have.
- Coordinating with Providers: We work with a network of medical professionals who are willing to treat accident victims on a lien basis, ensuring you aren’t denied care because you can’t pay today.
- Stopping Harassing Collections: Once we represent you, we can send “Letters of Protection” to medical providers, informing them that a legal claim is pending. This often stops the bills from being sent to collections and damaging your credit score.
- Negotiating Final Bills: When the settlement check finally arrives, we don’t just hand it over to the hospital. We negotiate with lienholders and insurance companies to reduce what you owe, maximizing the “take-home” portion of your settlement.
You should not have to choose between your physical health and your financial stability. If you are struggling with medical bills after an Atlanta car accident, let us take that burden off your shoulders.
Protect Your Recovery and Your Credit
The clock is ticking on both your medical bills and your legal rights. If you have been injured, contact the team at Simon Bridgers Spires for a free consultation. We can review your insurance policies, explain your options for paying for care, and start building a case to hold the at-fault driver accountable.