For many people injured in accidents that weren’t their fault, personal injury claims, insurance settlements, and lawsuits can help them pay for their medical bills. Getting compensation through the legal system is especially important for people who don’t have health insurance on their own or through their jobs. Research shows that around 14% of Oklahomans are uninsured.

However, that means 85% of the state population is insured, and many of those people also file claims after injuries. In these cases, victims’ medical bills may be partially or fully paid by their own health insurance policies, but they also may be able to get settlements from at-fault parties and their insurers.

How do these methods of paying for medical bills after an accident work together? We’ve got the answer.

Health Insurance Providers Can Seek Reimbursement from Policyholders’ Settlements

Unfortunately, you can’t “double-dip” when it comes to having your medical bills paid after an accident.

If your health insurance provider initially pays for your medical bills, and you later decide to file an injury claim against the at-fault party, they have the right to seek reimbursement. This reimbursement may cover some or all of the money paid toward your medical bills, especially if you pursue compensation for lost wages and pain and suffering related to your injury.

This process is called subrogation, and it may involve your health insurer either seeking money from your settlement to cover its costs or filing a separate claim to be reimbursed. Your health insurer will notify you if it plans to file a subrogation claim, and the amount of money they seek will be factored into negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurer and your final settlement total.

Your Lawyer Will Handle Subrogation on Your Behalf

Because most people have some form of health insurance that covers some or all of their medical bills in the immediate aftermath of injury-causing accidents and before their lawsuits are filed, subrogation is a common part of injury claims.

If you file a claim against an at-fault party after having some of your medical bills paid by your health insurer and you are informed that they will be filing a subrogation claim, don’t worry. In addition to your lawyer dealing with the other party’s insurer on your behalf, he or she will also deal with your health insurer on your behalf. As with all aspects of an injury claim, your job will simply be to rest and focus on getting better.

Alternatives for Uninsured Individuals

Being involved in an accident when you’re uninsured can create other challenges, especially when it comes to managing medical expenses and living costs. However, options are available to help you access necessary care while pursuing a personal injury claim.

• Medical Liens: A medical lien is an agreement between you, your attorney, and your healthcare provider that allows you to receive medical treatment without paying upfront. The medical provider agrees to wait for payment until your case is resolved through a settlement or jury verdict. At that point, the medical provider will be reimbursed directly from your settlement or judgment.
• Negotiating with Healthcare Providers: Even without a formal medical lien, you can often negotiate with healthcare providers to set up payment plans or reduce your overall medical bills. Many providers are willing to work with patients who are facing financial hardship.
• Funding Arrangements: Some companies specialize in providing funding to individuals who have been injured in accidents and are pursuing legal claims. These companies can provide a cash advance to help you cover medical and living expenses. The advance is typically repaid from your settlement or judgment.

Discussing your financial situation with your Oklahoma City personal injury attorney is important. They can help you explore options and determine the best approach for managing your expenses while pursuing your injury claim.

Why File an Injury Claim if You Have Health Insurance?

If your health insurance pays for most or all of your medical bills and you can’t double-dip on compensation after an accident, you may be wondering why it’s necessary or advisable to file an injury claim.

The primary reason is that your health insurance will only cover your medical bills. And while medical bills are a big part of injury claims, they aren’t the only thing victims can and should be compensated for.

By filing an injury claim, you can also get compensation for current and future lost wages. If you become unable to work for years or are forced into a lesser-paying career with fewer advancement opportunities, getting compensation for your future lost wages is extremely important. Many injured victims lose hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars throughout their lifetimes, depending on the type of injuries they suffer and how those injuries affect their careers.

You also may be owed compensation for your pain and suffering. While health insurance may cover a small aspect of this, such as the cost of prescription medications, physical therapy, and even counseling, it won’t cover the psychological losses you experience due to pain, disability, and separation from family, friends, and hobbies. While these losses are intangible, they are still very real, and you also deserve compensation for them.

Contact Us After an Injury That Wasn’t Your Fault

The potential for subrogation should never deter you from filing an injury claim. They are a routine part of many injury claims in Oklahoma, and Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers knows how to maximize recoveries for victims like you both with and without subrogation claims filed by health insurers.

Contact us today for a free consultation. It’s our goal to get you the money you and your family deserve for all of your accident-related expenses.

Originally published December 12, 2022.