When you suffer injuries after a car accident, the extent of your medical bills can quickly become overwhelming. For those who are unable to work due to their injuries, it’s even more stressful knowing you don’t have an income to help cover your medical care. But what about your insurance?
Depending on the type of coverage you have, car insurance will typically pay for care and treatment related to car accident injuries until you reach your policy limit. Once you have exhausted the funds available to you through your auto insurance, your personal health insurance may be used for the remaining expenses.
What Will My Health Insurance Cover After an Auto Accident?
Once all other forms of payment are exhausted your personal health insurance will generally begin to cover the medical costs associated with your injuries. Just like with your auto insurance policy, you are required to meet deductible amounts before the insurance company starts to cover treatment. You may also be required to cover co-pays and any other obligations required by the insurer.
What your health insurance will cover depends on what type of coverage you have, whether you went to an in-network provider, what restrictions are included in your policy, and what kind of care you seek. Remember, many health insurance plans do not cover alternative medicines or treatments.
How Can I Make Sure My Health Insurance Covers Expenses After a Car Accident?
If you need medical care after a car accident, it’s essential to get help right away. Hospitals and doctors may not require payment upfront to treat your injuries, especially if you need emergency care. Payment for your medical care may come from several sources, including your own health insurance, after you’ve been treated.
When using your health insurance for car accident injury expenses, you should follow the same steps you would for any condition or illness. Generally, these steps are:
- Find a qualified healthcare provider
- Pay the deductible or co-pay required by your insurance plan
- Get the proper treatment or medical care for your injuries
In some cases, your medical insurance will cover the cost of treatment but then claim reimbursement in the form of subrogation.
Some States Have Exceptions
There are a few no-fault states in which you can choose to limit your PIP coverage and rely on your health insurance after a car accident, in order to reduce the cost of car insurance. In New Jersey, drivers have the option of selecting their health insurance to be their primary provider for medical expenses. This means that your health insurance will cover medical bills first, and PIP medical coverage will only kick in if your care costs exceed your health plan limits.
In Michigan, where unlimited PIP coverage contributes to very high auto insurance premiums, you can coordinate your health and car insurance policies to reduce your premiums. If you choose this option, your MI health insurer would take care of your hospital and doctor bills, while PIP would cover lost wages and rehabilitation costs. Note that recipients of Medicaid and Medicare may not coordinate health and automobile insurance.
Contact Insurance Enterprise for Group Health Insurance
If you have questions about group health insurance and need health insurance quotes, contact Insurance Enterprise at 888-350-6605. Speak to a licensed agent and find out more about how you can get an affordable health insurance plan.