Car Accident
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find medical treatment?
It is key that you obtain medical treatment immediately (or as soon as possible) for your injuries. Delaying the time between the day of your accident and your treatment could negatively affect your ability to obtain adequate reimbursement for you and for your injuries, including the costs that you incur as a result of the accident.
Health Insurance - PPO
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident and have PPO health insurance, you should check your health insurance policy “network” provider list. Most health insurance plans will pay for your emergency room hospital visit, regardless of whether that particular hospital is on the “list”. Depending on the type of injuries you have sustained, you may want to choose an “in-network” specialist, one from the insurance company’s list so that the PPO plan will pay for the doctor’s bills and you will personally have a minimal office charge. Remember, some PPOs will actually pay for “out-of-network” doctors and chiropractors also but at a lower percentage of their bill. This may leave you owing money to that doctor personally. You should discuss these options with your PPO health insurance provider directly.
Many PPO health plans will ask that you sign a statement of their "right of reimbursement" or a "subrogation agreement" because you were involved in a motor vehicle accident. It is recommended that you not sign this agreement until you have consulted an attorney. These statements/agreements are usually unenforceable, but could severely reduce your total recovery. Essentially, these agreements allow your health insurance company (PPO) to recover the expenses that they pay for your medical care directly from the at-fault insurance company. Although this may sound fair, it may not only reduce the amount of money that you personally receive but also consider the fact that you pay a premium to your health insurance company for them to cover these types of expenses. For example, if you were injured by a driver who has an auto insurance policy with $25,000.00 policy limits and you had $20,000.00 in medical bills that were paid by your health insurance company - if you signed the statement/agreement, and it’s found to be enforceable, you would only receive $5,000.00 and your health insurance company would receive the $20,000.00. However, if you didn’t sign it, you could receive the full $25,000.00, therefore covering your medical expenses.
Health Insurance - HMO
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident and have HMO health insurance, your emergency room visit should be paid for. Afterwards, to continue treatment, you should contact your HMO in order to obtain an appointment with your “gatekeeper” doctor. The “gatekeeper” doctor will examine you and determine your need for a specialist.
HMO’s are known for not providing hands-on care. Remember that your comfort and peace of mind are essential. If you feel that you are not receiving the treatment that you need, pick a different doctor that you are comfortable with, and arrange to pay that doctor out of the money from your settlement.
Many HMO health plans will ask that you sign a statement of their "right of reimbursement" or a "subrogation agreement" because you were involved in a motor vehicle accident. It is recommended that you not sign this agreement until you have consulted an attorney. These statements/agreements are usually unenforceable, but could severely reduce your total recovery. Essentially, these agreements allow your health insurance company (HMO) to recover the expenses that they pay for your medical care directly from the at-fault insurance company. Although this may sound fair, it may not only reduce the amount of money that you personally receive but also consider the fact that you pay a premium to your health insurance company for them to cover these types of expenses. For example, if you were injured by a driver who has an auto insurance policy with $25,000.00 policy limits and you had $20,000.00 in medical bills that were paid by your health insurance company - if you signed the statement/agreement, and it’s found to be enforceable, you would only receive $5,000.00 and your health insurance company would receive the $20,000.00. However, if you didn’t sign it, you could receive the full $25,000.00, therefore covering your medical expenses.
Medical Payment (Medpay) coverage with your auto insurance policy
If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident And have” medpay” insurance coverage under your own auto insurance policy, then you are entitled to have all of your medical treatment paid for, 100%, no matter who the doctor may be, up to the coverage limit of your medpay coverage. You should check your auto insurance policy for your limits. Similar to PPO and HMO insurance plans, you should not sign any "right of reimbursement" or "subrogation agreement" without first consulting an attorney.
No Medpay coverage
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident and do not have
any medpay coverage as part of your own auto insurance policy, you have
three (3) options:
You can pay up-front and out of your own pocket fro your treatment;
You can make an arrangement with your doctor to pay him/her from
your settlement money; or
You can retain and an attorney who should setup an appointment for you with a doctor who work on a lien (a legal promise to pay from your settlement money)
Kaine & Jones, LLC has worked with numerous doctors and chiropractors on liens. You would pay nothing up-front for your treatment and your doctors are paid at the time of settlement.
More Car Accident FAQ's:
- What is fair compensation for my vehicle?
- Can I get a rental car?
- Do I really need an attorney or can I settle my own claim?
- What is "fair compensation" for my injuries?
Our Law Offices are located at:
3355 Lenox Road
Suite 850
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
Call us today
888-KAINE-JONES
(888-524-6356)