medical payments insurance coverage

After an accident where you are at fault, you shouldn’t delay medical care for your injuries because of concern over how to pay your medical bills. That’s where medical payments insurance coverage comes in – getting medical payments insurance coverage is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself in these situations.

Auto Insurance Policy

Review your auto insurance policy to find out whether you have auto insurance medical payments coverage. Your insurance information is summarized on a document called a declaration page (or “dec page”). The dec page is usually on the front of your insurance policy. You can access your dec page:

  • In your online account for your insurance company; or
  • In the documents the insurance company provided when you purchased or renewed your auto insurance policy; or
  • By contacting your insurance company; or
  • By contacting your insurance agent (if purchased through an agent)

Medical Payments Insurance Coverage

If your auto insurance includes medical payments insurance coverage (also called “medical expense coverage” or “med pay”), the policy will pay medical expenses incurred by you, your passengers, or your family members driving your car when involved in an accident. Medical payments insurance coverage also applies if you are walking or riding a bike and are injured by another driver.

One of the best parts about medical payments coverage is that the policy will pay even if you caused the accident. This means that there is no long battle between insurance companies and lawyers about who caused the accident before medical bills are paid.

Medical payments coverage is optional in Georgia but keep reading for more reasons why you should include this coverage with your auto insurance policy.

Bodily Injury Liability Insurance vs. Medical Payments Coverage

Bodily injury liability insurance coverage, mandatory in Georgia, pays for the other party’s medical expenses in accidents that you cause, but not medical expenses for you or your passengers. If another party is at fault when they hit you in an accident, their bodily injury liability insurance pays for injuries to you and your passengers.

From this explanation, it is clear that you can be left exposed to pay for medical expenses for yourself and your passengers even if both parties in an accident have bodily injury liability insurance. Medical payments insurance coverage fills that gap by paying medical expenses for you and your passengers when you are at fault.

Is Medical Payments Insurance Coverage Needed if I Have Health Insurance?

Your personal health insurance and medical payments coverage work hand in hand, depending on how both insurance policies are written. Consider these three scenarios:

  • If your medical payments coverage is your primary healthcare coverage, the auto insurance company will cover your healthcare costs up to the policy limits. Medical payments coverage covers medical and funeral expenses soon after an accident, but it does not replace health insurance.
  • If your medical payments coverage is secondary coverage, then your health insurance would pay for your medical bills, and your medical payments coverage would pay for amounts that your health insurance policy does not cover, such as deductibles and for example, let’s say your post-accident medical care for an injured arm costs $20,000. Your health insurance covers the cost of the care except for $750 for doctor visit co-pays, $1,250 for a hospital visit co-pay, and your $2,000 policy deductible (total of $4,000). Your medical payments coverage covers that $4,000 amount. Without medical payments coverage, you would be responsible for the $4,000 payment as an out-of-pocket cost.
  • Some healthcare insurance policies do not cover injuries related to a car accident where you are at. Medical payments coverage would pay for that medical treatment.

What Medical Payments Coverage Covers?

Medical payments coverage can pay for any expenses incurred by you and your passengers after an accident, depending on your actual policy terms:

  • Doctor visits
  • Hospital visits
  • Surgery
  • X-rays
  • Prosthetics
  • Dental care
  • Chiropractic treatment
  • Ambulance fees
  • Nursing care
  • Health insurance deductibles
  • Health insurance co-pay amounts
  • Funeral expenses

Save Your Friendships!

Consider the scenario where you are driving your friends to a movie. Your car is an accident, your friends are injured, and it was your fault. Who pays for medical costs related to your friends’ injuries? Your passengers’ health insurance may pay for some of the costs. But, like with your own expense, your friends may have to pay for some costs like deductibles, co-pays, and amounts not covered by insurance. This is where your medical payments insurance coverage policy can cover those costs.

Contact the Injury and Accident Attorneys at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm

Getting hurt in an accident is frightening. Trying to recover payment from your own insurance company to cover your medical and other expenses shouldn’t be. Call the attorneys at CEO Lawyer for a free consultation about your recovery. We will work hard to get you your maximum recovery.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Take a look at some of the most common personal injury law questions for general information, and then reach out to one of our seasoned attorneys for specific guidance on your case!

What Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?

The value of your case depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and the impact on your life. Each personal injury case is unique, and the combination of these factors varies from one case to another. An experienced personal injury lawyer can provide you with a more precise estimate of your case’s value by reviewing the specific details of your situation. They will analyze similar cases in your jurisdiction, consider the legal precedents, and use their knowledge of past settlements and verdicts to gauge a realistic potential outcome for your case. This estimate helps you understand what you might expect regarding compensation and guides the negotiation or litigation process to ensure you receive a fair settlement.

What Should I Do Immediately After an Accident?

After an accident, seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine, to address any hidden injuries. Document everything, including photos of the scene and contact information for witnesses. Gathering witness statements is crucial because they provide an objective account of the accident, supporting your version of events and strengthening your personal injury claim. Report the incident to the proper authorities, such as the police or property owner. Finally, contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your legal options and protect your rights, ensuring you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

How Much Will a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?

Most personal injury lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis, which means that you don’t have to pay any upfront fees or hourly rates. Instead, the lawyer’s payment is contingent upon the outcome of your case. If you win your case, whether through a settlement or a court judgment, the lawyer will receive a percentage of the compensation awarded to you. If you don't win your case, you usually won’t owe the lawyer any fees for their services.

How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Personal Injury Case?

The timeline for resolving a personal injury case can vary significantly based on a variety of factors, making it difficult to predict exactly how long your case will take. The complexity of the case is a major determining factor. For instance, straightforward cases with clear liability and minimal disputes over damages can sometimes be resolved relatively quickly, often within a few months. These cases may involve negotiating a fair settlement with the insurance company, which can happen promptly if all parties are cooperative and the evidence is strong.