Most motorists have medical payments coverage attached to their automobile policies. This coverage is meant to step in as the first form of payment in the event of an accident with injuries. Policies do have limits. Once they are met, other forms of payment must be arranged for.
In the case of an accident where the injured party is not at fault, the other driver’s insurance coverage will likely also help pay for medical expenses. Personal comprehensive medical coverage, such as an HMO, may also come into play. The first line of defense in most states, however, is the injured party’s medical payments coverage.
Getting the most out of this coverage does require some know how to get the insurance company to pay, while still being certain all other available forms of coverage are applied, as needed.
Documentation is Vital
To make sure medical payments coverage is charged properly for injuries related to an accident, it is important to make sure medical providers are given:
- Automobile insurance information so they can charge that policy first
- Other available insurance information should a personal comprehensive plan also be in place.
Other documentation that can facilitate coverage activation and help assure that the automobile insurance company pays claims include these items that should be furnished to the insurance company upon request:
- Accident report information
- Photographs of the accident, vehicles or injuries
- Medical reports, including test results, if necessary
Expediting Payments
It is not at all uncommon for medical payments coverage to require covered parties to pay upfront costs and wait for reimbursement for tests and doctors’ office visits. To get the most out of coverage and expedite payments, make sure to:
- Fill out all claim forms fully
- Forward all requested medical reports to the insurance adjuster immediately
- Keep receipts for all payments made to medical providers
- Keep a tally of expenses that apply toward the policy’s deductible, if there is any
Payment Order Can Matter
It is important for those covered by an automobile policy for medical payments to understand their limits of coverage and pay attention to them. Once they have been reached, or if co-payments apply, other types of coverage may come into play. To avoid “double-dipping” or unnecessarily charging a standard medical insurance policy for what automobile coverage should pay, it’s important to make sure medical payments coverage is charged first for services.
Anyone who has been injured in an accident can benefit from seeking legal advice to be certain that medical payments coverage is activated properly and that personal rights are observed in the days and weeks following a crash.
