You’ve been involved in some kind of accident, whether it is a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, pedestrian accident, or even a slip and fall accident. If you were injured and sought medical attention, your health insurance probably covered some expenses. If your injury was caused by another person or entity (like a company), then you may have filed a claim for compensation. A settlement may have transpired, and if so, you may question if you have to reimburse your own health insurer or not.

The answer is: Yes. You have to reimburse your health insurance company.

What happens directly after an accident?

Directly after an accident and subsequent injury, you probably sought medical attention as noted above. Depending on the circumstances, the hospital, urgent care, or another medical facility will take down your health insurance information and charge it accordingly. Your health insurance will then cover the costs in accordance with the terms and conditions of your policy.

If your health insurance does not cover the entire costs, then you will be billed the remaining amount. In circumstances where you do not have the finances to pay for these out-of-pocket expenses, it is important that you advise the healthcare provider. The healthcare provider may suspend your account and place a lien on it. This means that once you receive your settlement, the health care provider receives its share of the settlement to cover the costs.

The same is true with your health insurance. It’s known as a subrogation lien. The idea is: your health insurer pays for your expenses. As such, it should be reimbursed if you recover compensation for those same medical expenses.

These facts are upsetting to many people. You settle, you get your money, and suddenly there seems to be nothing left for you. That’s why in part it is crucial to retain an experienced personal injury lawyer in Newport Beach who has a deep working understanding of insurance companies, both in the auto industry and the health industry, among other industries. Your attorney will know how to strategically put together a demand that incorporates these liens and guarantees you still receive a fair and just pay out.

How do you reimburse your health insurer?

If you hired an attorney, then the attorney will receive the settlement or award check. The attorney will itemize everything and draft a release agreement. Then the settlement or award money will be distributed accordingly, meaning your attorney will send payment to the health insurer and the healthcare provider, if applicable, directly. You will — or at least shouldn’t have to — deal with paying the health insurance company directly.

Contact a Newport Beach Accident Lawyer Today

An injury from an accident caused by another person’s negligence means you are entitled to compensation even if your own health insurance covered your medical treatment. You should hire an attorney who can identify the at-fault party, investigate the accident, and draft a demand that incorporates all  your damages and the value of those damages in a way that is meaningful to you and that guarantees you will receive just and fair payment after all other relevant third-parties have received their share of the settlement or award.

At the Ledger Law Firm, we are committed to our clients. We focus only on personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, and we do so because we care. Insurance companies will try to get whatever they can, even your own insurance company. With us advocating on your behalf, we make sure your interests are heard and compensated. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.