How Do I Pay Medical Bills Before Resolving My Alaska Accident Case?
Whether you were hurt in a car crash, slip and fall, cruise ship accident, or other incident that was not your fault, you probably know that Alaska laws provide you with options to recover compensation. The objective of a personal injury claim is to recoup some of the losses you suffer as a victim, since there are many implications for your life. As with any legal matter, the process of resolving your claim does not take place overnight. Settling with an insurance company could take a couple of weeks, while litigation could last many months. During this time, you could encounter challenges with paying your medical bills – one type of loss that is central to your claim.
Fortunately, you do have options for paying your medical bills while your Anchorage personal injury lawyer is working to recover monetary damages. Depending on your circumstances, you may turn to:
- Your Health Insurance: The most logical source of funds to pay medical bills is one you may have already used — your health insurance through an employer or private policy. Treating physicians will likely send bills to your insurance company for reimbursement, though you may have to pay any remaining balance. By paying your medical bills through insurance, you can keep current, avoid having bills go into collection, and protect your credit rating.
- MedPay Insurance: If you purchased medical coverage under your own auto insurance policy, you may be able to draw from MedPay – sometimes referred to as Personal Injury Protection (PIP). This source of funds is applicable if you were hurt in any traffic-related incident, including pedestrian accidents and bicycle collisions. However, this policy provision is not required under Alaska minimum auto insurance coverage laws. MedPay may not be an option unless you sign up for it and pay through your premiums.
- Medical Liens: You should discuss the details with your attorney, as this option involves paying bills for treatment through the monetary damages you may ultimately receive through your claim. Instead of billing you for medical care, your treating physicians would apply a lien upon the funds; the funds come off the top before your compensation is paid out to you.
Note About Alaska’s Collateral Source Rule
There is one factor to keep in mind about using these sources to pay medical bills. In most cases, the at-fault driver is prohibited from revealing to the jury what expenses have already been paid. The collateral source rule, however, requires that after trial your compensation be reduced by amounts paid by third parties on your behalf prior to trial.
Discuss Your Medical Bills With an Alaska Injury Lawyer
One or more of these options may work to cover medical costs while your personal injury claim is pending, but you will not need to worry about legal fees throughout the process. Our team at Power & Power Law offers a free consultation and work on a contingency basis, so you do not pay unless we recover compensation. To set up your no-cost appointment, please contact our Anchorage, Alaska offices today.