How Medical Liens Are Paid in Personal Injury Cases

After being involved in a catastrophic accident, one of the most significant financial losses you will experience involves medical bills. It is not unusual for injury victims to deal with tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical debt. Covering these can seem impossible when you are out of work and struggling to recuperate. 

Obtaining a medical lien may be the best way to get payment for your medical expenses temporarily paused while you fight for the compensation you are entitled to. A reputable personal injury attorney at John Foy & Associates can help you understand how medical liens work and ensure you get paid when your personal injury settlement comes in.

What a Medical Lien Is and How It Works

Georgia is a tort state for personal injury claims and accidents. This means the individual or entity responsible for causing the accident or the victim’s injuries will be held accountable and compelled to cover the victim’s damages, including medical expenses. 

However, in many cases, if you hope to avoid having your medical debts sent to a debt collector, you may need to pay your medical bills out of your own pocket or work out a payment arrangement with the doctor’s office or hospital. Then, once you win your personal injury claim, you can be reimbursed for these medical expenses.

But what happens if you are out of work and unable to continue covering your monthly expenses, let alone pay for exorbitantly high medical debts related to your injuries? Fortunately, by getting a medical lien, you can get payment for your hospital bills and other related expenses temporarily paused.  Once your personal injury settlement comes in, you can pay back your medical lien with your settlement funds. 

How to Cover Your Medical Expenses After a Personal Injury 

Under O.C.G.A. §44-14-470, a medical lien is a legal document that promises the hospital you will repay your debt. This legally binding document states that you will pay back your medical bills once your personal injury settlement comes in and that the at-fault party will be responsible for paying back the medical as part of the compensation you are awarded in your personal injury claim.

Medical liens can be filed whether the health insurance company covers some of your medical bills. However, the health insurance company can also reimburse you for any out-of-pocket expenses you paid for medical treatment and care.

You May Expect Your Health Insurance to Pay for Medical Expenses

It might surprise you that even when your health insurance is willing to pay, the hospital or doctor’s office may refuse to accept payment from the insurer. This is because a medical lien ensures the healthcare provider receives payment for your treatment and other medical expenses. Since many health insurers cover medical expenses at a reduced rate, the hospital or healthcare provider will lose money by accepting payment from the insurance company. 

If they do not allow the insurance provider to pay, they can charge you the total price of the services rendered. This means the healthcare provider will receive more of your personal injury settlement than they would if your health insurance covered a portion of your damages. For this reason, having an experienced personal injury attorney who can protect you from being taken advantage of by profit-driven healthcare systems is crucial.

How to Get Your Medical Bills Covered

You can get your medical bills covered in several ways after being involved in an accident or suffering a devastating injury. The liable party should cover your medical expenses in full. However, in some instances, you may be able to file a claim with the insurance company. You already know how health insurance works and will determine whether your healthcare provider accepts your health insurance payment when your personal injury attorney starts working on your case.

Depending on the type of accident you were involved in, you may have the option of receiving compensation for your medical expenses through other types of insurers. For example, if you were involved in a work-related accident, your employer’s workers’ compensation protection insurance will cover your medical expenses. If you were involved in a car accident, the liable party’s auto insurance company may cover your healthcare costs.

If the liable party does not have insurance coverage, the only way to get your medical expenses covered will be to settle your case outside of court or move forward with a personal injury lawsuit. If you hope to avoid having your healthcare expenses sent to a debt collection facility during this time, you may need to agree to a medical lien.

What Insurance Is Supposed to Cover 

Do not be surprised if insurance coverage does not fully meet your needs. The insurance company’s limit for payment is tied to the coverage purchased by the policyholder. If the policyholder does not have enough insurance coverage to meet your needs, you will have to pay for damages that need to be covered through your personal injury supplement or out of your own pocket.

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help Get Your Medical Lien Paid

Getting your medical lien paid off as soon as possible is crucial if you hope to move forward and put this traumatic experience behind you. When you have a personal injury attorney working on your case, you can get through the insurance negotiations and the civil claims process more quickly to pay off your medical lien in full. 

Your personal injury attorney will also be by your side to ensure the insurance company, hospital, physician’s office, liable party, and other involved parties do not take advantage of you during this trying time.

Connect with a GA Personal Injury Attorney Today

If you have a medical lien and hope to reduce your out-of-pocket healthcare costs, do not hesitate to get a reputable Georgia personal injury attorney at John Foy & Associates working for you. The liable party should be ordered to cover every single loss. 

We will help you make them pay. Contact our team for a free, no-obligation consultation and explore your opportunities for financial relief. You can reach us through our quick contact form or by phone to take advantage of this opportunity and get your medical lien paid off as soon as possible.