You didn’t cause the accident.
So why are the medical bills coming to you?
It’s one of the most frustrating parts of recovering from a car accident. You may know that another driver caused the crash. There may even be a police report saying so. But while the insurance companies sort through the claim, the hospital, ambulance service, radiologist, physical therapist, and other medical providers may still send bills with your name on them.
For many people, this is when the financial stress of an accident begins to feel very real.
Understanding who pays medical bills after a car accident in Missouri can make the process a little less confusing. Depending on your circumstances, payment may involve your health insurance, optional auto insurance coverage, the at-fault driver’s liability insurance, and eventually a personal injury settlement or verdict.
The important thing to understand is that medical bills don’t necessarily wait for your personal injury claim to be resolved.
Here’s how the process generally works.
Does the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Pay My Medical Bills Right Away?
This is one of the biggest misconceptions about car accident claims.
You may assume that because another driver caused the accident, that driver’s insurance company will simply pay each medical bill as it arrives.
Typically, that’s not how a bodily injury claim works.
The at-fault driver’s liability insurance may ultimately be responsible for compensating you for reasonable medical expenses related to the accident. But that compensation is usually addressed as part of the overall resolution of your personal injury claim rather than through the insurer paying every doctor and hospital bill individually as treatment occurs.
That means you could be receiving medical bills while your injury claim is still being investigated or negotiated.
And if you’re still receiving treatment, settling the claim too quickly can create another problem: you may not yet know what your medical care will ultimately cost.
Start With Your Own Health Insurance
If you have health insurance, it may be one of the first sources used to pay medical bills after an accident.
That can include:
- Employer-sponsored health insurance
- Private health insurance
- Medicare
- Medicaid, when applicable
Using your health insurance does not necessarily mean your health insurer ultimately bears the cost of an accident caused by someone else.
It means your existing coverage can help get medical providers paid while the liability claim moves forward.
This is important because medical treatment shouldn’t be delayed simply because another driver’s insurance company hasn’t resolved the claim.
Why Should I Use My Health Insurance If Someone Else Caused the Accident?
Because your immediate priority should be getting appropriate medical care.
A personal injury claim can take time. Meanwhile, healthcare providers expect payment.
Your health insurance may also have negotiated rates with medical providers that reduce the amount charged for certain services.
Later, depending on the type of health plan and circumstances involved, the health insurer may have a right to seek reimbursement from money recovered in your personal injury claim.
This is commonly referred to as subrogation or reimbursement.
It sounds complicated because, frankly, it can be.
But the basic idea is this:
Your health insurance pays medical expenses now. If you later recover money from the person responsible for the accident, the health insurer may have a legal right to be reimbursed for certain amounts it paid.
The details depend heavily on the type of insurance plan involved.
What Is MedPay and Can It Help?
Another potential source of payment is Medical Payments Coverage, commonly called MedPay.
MedPay is optional coverage that may be included in an auto insurance policy. It can help pay qualifying medical expenses for you and, depending on the policy, passengers injured in an accident.
Unlike liability coverage, MedPay generally isn’t based on determining who caused the crash.
Depending on your policy and available limits, it may help with expenses such as:
- Ambulance services
- Emergency room treatment
- Hospital care
- Diagnostic testing
- Doctor visits
- Other qualifying medical treatment
If you’ve been injured in a crash, review your auto insurance policy or ask your insurer whether you have Medical Payments Coverage and what limits apply.
Many people don’t realize they purchased this coverage until they need it.
What If I Don’t Have Health Insurance?
Being uninsured can make the medical side of a car accident significantly more complicated, but it doesn’t mean you should ignore an injury or avoid necessary care.
Depending on the circumstances, some medical providers may be willing to provide treatment with the expectation that outstanding bills will be addressed when the personal injury claim is resolved.
There may also be other payment arrangements or resources available depending on the provider and your situation.
If you are seriously injured and don’t have health insurance, speaking with a personal injury attorney early can be especially helpful.
The goal should always be to make sure decisions about your medical care are based on your health, not simply on fear of the bill arriving afterward.
What Happens to the Medical Bills While My Claim Is Pending?
Unfortunately, your personal injury claim does not automatically put your medical bills on hold.
Medical providers may continue sending statements while your case is pending.
That’s why you should keep track of every bill you receive.
Create a file for:
- Hospital bills
- Emergency room bills
- Ambulance charges
- Physician bills
- Radiology bills
- Physical therapy bills
- Prescription expenses
- Medical equipment
- Specialist treatment
One hospital visit can generate bills from several different providers, so don’t assume a statement is a duplicate simply because it relates to the same visit.
Watch for Medical Billing Errors
Medical billing is complicated even without a car accident thrown into the equation.
Review bills and insurance statements carefully.
Look for:
- Duplicate charges
- Services you don’t recognize
- Incorrect dates
- Incorrect insurance information
- Bills that should have been submitted to health insurance
- Amounts that don’t match your Explanation of Benefits
If something looks wrong, contact the provider or insurer and ask for clarification.
Keeping accurate records now can prevent a tangled mess when it’s time to resolve your injury claim later.
What Is a Medical Lien?
A medical lien can give a healthcare provider or another entity a legal claim against money recovered from a personal injury case.
In practical terms, that may mean certain medical expenses must be addressed from settlement proceeds before the remaining money is distributed to the injured person.
Different types of liens and reimbursement rights can arise depending on who paid for treatment.
Potential parties may include:
- Healthcare providers
- Health insurers
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Certain employer-sponsored health plans
The rules can become complicated quickly, particularly when federal benefits or employer-sponsored plans are involved.
This is one reason why the number written on a settlement check is not necessarily the amount an injured person ultimately receives.
Outstanding medical bills, liens, reimbursement claims, attorney fees, and case expenses may all need to be addressed.
How Are Medical Bills Included in a Car Accident Claim?
Medical expenses are an important part of evaluating damages after a car accident.
Depending on the circumstances, a personal injury claim may seek compensation for:
- Emergency treatment
- Hospitalization
- Diagnostic testing
- Physician visits
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medication
- Medical equipment
- Rehabilitation
- Other reasonable accident-related treatment
But the claim isn’t necessarily limited to bills you’ve already received.
If an injury will require future medical care, those anticipated expenses may also need to be considered.
What About Future Medical Expenses?
This is one of the biggest reasons to be cautious about settling an injury claim too early.
Imagine that your doctor initially recommends physical therapy for a shoulder injury.
You complete several weeks of therapy, but the pain doesn’t improve.
An MRI later reveals a tear.
Your doctor recommends surgery.
Suddenly, your future medical expenses look very different than they did two weeks after the accident.
A serious injury may involve future expenses for:
- Surgery
- Rehabilitation
- Follow-up appointments
- Injections
- Medication
- Medical equipment
- Additional diagnostic testing
- Long-term care
Once you sign a settlement agreement and release your claim, you generally cannot go back to the insurance company months later because your medical treatment became more expensive than expected.
That’s why understanding your medical prognosis before settling can be so important.
Should I Send My Medical Bills Directly to the Other Driver’s Insurance Adjuster?
Before sending medical records or bills, understand what the insurer is requesting and why.
The insurance company will generally need documentation supporting the injuries and expenses included in your claim.
But that doesn’t mean you should automatically sign every authorization or provide unlimited access to your entire medical history.
As we discussed in our guide on what to say when an insurance adjuster calls after a car accident, insurance companies may request recorded statements, medical authorizations, and other information while investigating a claim.
Be truthful and cooperative when appropriate, but understand what you’re providing before you provide it.
What If the Insurance Company Says My Treatment Was Too Expensive?
Insurance companies may dispute medical expenses for several reasons.
They may argue that:
- Treatment wasn’t necessary
- Treatment lasted too long
- Charges were unreasonable
- The injury wasn’t caused by the accident
- A pre-existing condition caused the symptoms
- There was a gap in medical treatment
This is why consistent medical care and documentation matter.
Your healthcare providers should determine what treatment is medically appropriate.
Follow their recommendations, attend appointments, and communicate honestly about your symptoms and progress.
What If I Had a Pre-Existing Medical Condition?
Having a previous injury or medical condition does not automatically prevent you from having a valid car accident claim.
Accidents can aggravate existing conditions.
For example, perhaps you previously experienced occasional lower back discomfort but were working, exercising, and living normally before the crash.
After the accident, the condition becomes significantly worse and requires extensive treatment.
The fact that your back wasn’t perfect before the collision doesn’t necessarily mean the accident caused no harm.
Medical records can be particularly important in these situations because they can help show your condition before and after the accident.
Does a Personal Injury Settlement Pay the Hospital Directly?
It depends on the circumstances.
When a case settles, outstanding medical bills, valid liens, and reimbursement claims may need to be resolved before settlement funds are distributed.
An attorney handling the claim may identify outstanding obligations, verify amounts, and in some situations work to resolve or negotiate certain balances when legally appropriate.
After those obligations and other agreed-upon expenses are addressed, the remaining settlement proceeds are distributed to the client.
This is one reason it’s important to understand the net recovery, not simply the headline settlement amount.
What If the At-Fault Driver Doesn’t Have Enough Insurance?
This can become a major issue after a serious accident.
Medical expenses from significant injuries can quickly exceed available liability insurance limits.
Depending on the circumstances and the insurance coverage available, other sources of recovery may need to be explored.
That can include applicable uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage under an auto policy.
Cases involving multiple vehicles, commercial drivers, employer-owned vehicles, or other responsible parties may also involve additional insurance policies or potential sources of compensation.
Identifying every applicable source of insurance coverage can be an important part of investigating a serious accident claim.
What If I Was Partially Responsible for the Accident?
Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system.
That means an injured person may potentially recover compensation even if they share some responsibility for the accident, although the recovery can be reduced by their percentage of fault.
For example, if damages were determined to be $100,000 and an injured person was found 20% responsible, the recoverable amount could be reduced accordingly.
This is why you should be careful about making casual statements about fault to insurance adjusters immediately after a collision.
Determining responsibility may require much more than one person’s first impression of what happened.
Medical Bills Are Only One Part of Your Claim
It’s easy to focus on medical bills because they’re tangible.
There’s a number at the bottom of the page demanding your attention.
But a serious car accident can create losses that extend far beyond medical expenses.
Depending on the case, damages may also include:
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent impairment
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
A fair evaluation should consider the full impact of the injury, not simply add up today’s hospital bills.
Don’t Let Medical Bills Pressure You Into an Early Settlement
This deserves its own section because financial pressure is powerful.
When bills are arriving and you’re missing work, an early insurance settlement can feel like a lifeline.
But before accepting one, ask:
Do I know what my injuries are actually going to cost me?
If you’re still treating, the answer may be no.
You may not yet know:
- Whether you’ll need surgery
- How long you’ll be unable to work
- Whether you’ll fully recover
- Whether you’ll have permanent restrictions
- How much rehabilitation you’ll need
- Whether you’ll require future medical care
An early settlement solves the insurance company’s uncertainty.
Make sure it doesn’t leave you holding yours.
What Should I Do With Medical Bills After an Accident?
A little organization goes a long way.
1. Don’t Ignore Them
Even if another driver caused the crash, don’t assume the bills are automatically being handled.
2. Submit Bills to Applicable Insurance
If you have health insurance or MedPay coverage, determine whether bills should be submitted through those sources.
3. Review Every Explanation of Benefits
An Explanation of Benefits, or EOB, can help you understand what your health insurer paid, what was adjusted, and what you may owe.
4. Keep Everything
Save bills, receipts, EOBs, medical records, prescription expenses, and correspondence.
5. Track Out-of-Pocket Costs
Keep receipts for expenses you personally pay because of the accident.
6. Tell Your Attorney About Collection Notices or Liens
If you’re represented, don’t let collection letters gather dust in a drawer. Send them to your attorney so they know what’s happening.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Bills After a Missouri Car Accident
Who is responsible for my medical bills if the other driver caused the accident?
The at-fault driver’s liability insurance may ultimately compensate you for reasonable accident-related medical expenses as part of your personal injury claim. However, the insurer typically doesn’t pay each bill as it arrives, so other coverage such as health insurance or MedPay may be used while the claim is pending.
Should I use my health insurance after a car accident?
Often, yes. Health insurance can help pay providers while your personal injury claim is pending. Your insurer may later have reimbursement or subrogation rights depending on your plan and circumstances.
What is MedPay?
Medical Payments Coverage, or MedPay, is optional auto insurance coverage that may help pay qualifying medical expenses following an accident, generally regardless of who caused the collision and subject to policy terms and limits.
What happens if my medical bills are more than the other driver’s insurance limits?
Other potential sources of recovery may need to be investigated, including applicable underinsured motorist coverage or claims against additional responsible parties.
Can unpaid medical bills be taken out of my settlement?
Potentially. Outstanding bills, valid medical liens, and reimbursement claims may need to be resolved from settlement proceeds.
Should I wait until I’m finished treating before settling my car accident claim?
In many cases, understanding the extent of your injuries and expected future treatment is important before evaluating whether a settlement is fair. Once a claim is fully settled and released, additional compensation generally cannot be requested later simply because medical needs increase.
Can I recover future medical expenses?
Potentially, yes. If medical evidence shows that accident-related injuries will require future treatment, those anticipated expenses may be considered as part of the damages in a personal injury claim.
The Pottenger Law Firm Can Help You Make Sense of What Comes Next
A car accident can create an entire ecosystem of paperwork almost overnight.
One company is asking for a statement. Another is sending an Explanation of Benefits. The hospital wants payment. The body shop wants an answer. The insurance adjuster wants medical records.
Meanwhile, you’re supposed to be recovering.
You don’t have to become an expert in insurance coverage, medical liens, subrogation, and settlement negotiations just because someone else caused an accident.
At The Pottenger Law Firm, we help injured people understand what’s happening with their claims, identify available insurance coverage, document the full impact of their injuries, and pursue the compensation they may be entitled to receive.
If you’ve been injured in a Missouri car accident and you’re worried about medical bills or what the insurance company is telling you, we’re here to answer your questions.
Learn more about our Car Accident Services and Personal Injury Practice Areas, or contact The Pottenger Law Firm to schedule a consultation.
