Why Health Insurance is Not Used for Auto Accident Injuries?

Getting into a car accident can be scary, especially if you're injured.

But unfortunately, car accidents and truck accidents are never completely avoidable.

If you do get injured, you will not only have to focus on your physical recovery, but you will have to worry about insurance, filing claims, and how you're going to pay your medical bills.

Many people don't know which insurance to use after a car accident, and many assume that they can't use their health insurance.

Getting medical care and getting it paid for can be especially tricky after a car accident.

Whether or not your health insurance will cover your auto accident bills and exactly how much responsibility a particular party or insurance carrier has depends on several factors.

These factors include co-pays, who was at fault for the accident, and the types of insurance coverages in place.

Ultimately, many health insurance policies will cover auto accident injuries, at least to an extent. Still, your health insurance typically won't be your first option.

And they might not be on the hook at all.

In the article below, we will take a closer look at if you can use your health insurance company after receiving car accident injuries.

You've Been Involved In A Car Accident

First, let's paint a picture.

You were just involved in a car accident. Someone ran a red light and hit your car as you were making a left turn.

You're knocked unconscious, suffering a traumatic brain injury. You also have a broken arm.

You spend a few days in the hospital, and it takes weeks in a cast as well as physical therapy to get your arm back to full strength.

Luckily you don't have any lasting effects from the injury. Still, once you're discharged from the hospital and begin physical therapy, the bills start rolling in.

And the bills are astronomical; you can't believe how much you've been charged.

Now, do you turn to your auto insurance policy, or do you see if health insurance plans cover car accident injuries?

What insurance do you use to pay for medical treatment? Do you have to pay anything since the other driver was negligent, and just wait for their car insurance policy to cover it? Or will their health insurance cover everything?

You are left with many questions with no answers.

Related post: What Causes Back Pain After A Car Accident?

You're Responsible For The Medical Bills

The first thing you need to realize is that no matter what the circumstances are surrounding your car accident, the bills are your responsibility.

The doctors provided a service to you, so the burden of paying them falls on you.

And just because you might be in the middle of a car accident claim doesn't mean your doctors will want to wait to get paid for their services.

Even if the crash wasn't your fault, the at-fault parties' insurance company wouldn't pay for your bills right away.

They aren't going to make payments before there's a personal injury settlement in your favor because they don't have to give you anything until their client is found guilty.

So does your health insurance company take care of the bills? If not, why not?

Car Accident Injury Bills

For the most part, medical bills after car accident injuries will follow a pattern of payment responsibility.

The first things you have to take care of are co-pays or deductibles that are in place on your policies.

In most situations, after you're involved in a car accident, you'll receive treatment and follow the same protocol you would typically follow if you were getting treatment for any other reason.

So you have to pay the standard deductible or co-pay that is included in your health insurance policy.

Fortunately, ambulances and some doctors won't always require you to make payments upfront.

Instead, they will provide the necessary services and then work with you and the involved insurance companies to determine who pays what.

So if you're transported directly from the scene of the accident to the emergency room, you will likely receive a pretty hefty bill from the ambulance company or your local city or county for their services.

Most people are shocked to find out that this bill can be several thousands of dollars.

But the bill will include a section asking if you have medical insurance. If you do, you will have to fill in your insurance information and then mail the bill back without payment.

After that, the ambulance company or your local government will work with your health insurance to take care of the bill.

Your Car Insurance Company Always Comes First

Although your health insurance plan can come into play, car insurance companies will always come first when it comes to paying for your car accident injuries.

Almost every state requires its residents to have basic liability insurance coverage included with their car insurance.

The coverages on your auto insurance can vary a great deal, but medical bills should be paid up to the at-fault driver's policy limits.

If your health insurance coverage did take care of your bills first, they would make a claim against the car insurance company of the person responsible for the accident.

When Health Insurance Kicks In

Once every other payment form is exhausted, your health insurance company will typically have financial responsibility for treatment related to your car accident.

What is covered and what isn't will depend on the insurance policy you have in place.

You will still likely have to pay your deductible and your co-pays. You may also have to cover any charges that aren't explicitly covered by your policy.

The First Thing You Need To Do Is Seek Medical Care

Your health is the most important thing, and before you have to worry about an auto insurance company, a medical insurance company, or your health plan, you first need to receive treatment if you've been injured.

If you have obvious injuries, you should go to the emergency room right away.

Even if you feel like you haven't been injured after the accident, it is still a good idea to seek medical attention just in case.

There are several car accident injuries, like whiplash, that can take several hours or even days to show symptoms.

That's why it's good to receive medical care right away; it keeps minor injuries that might not be obvious right away from turning into chronic issues.

And, if you wait too long to seek medical care and you do have injuries, they might not be covered in a personal injury settlement because you waited too long to receive treatment.

Seek Chiropractic Care For Your Injuries

Chiropractic care is an excellent option for car many car accident injuries, especially the injuries that take a while to develop.

Your chiropractor will complete a full physical exam and go over your medical history to diagnose any injuries you may have sustained.

They will then develop a treatment plan that involves chiropractic manipulations to restore your health.

And, they do it all without using addictive painkillers or invasive surgeries.

Contact The Arrowhead Clinic Today

If you don't have a chiropractor after your auto accident, you should visit the chiropractors at the Arrowhead Clinic.

They have over 40 years of experience helping people injured in car accidents, and they are ready to help you today during your free consultation.

And, If you're injured due to another driver's negligence, they can refer you to respected personal injury attorneys that can help you navigate the insurance companies and pay your medical expenses.