Multiple sources may cover medical costs; understanding options prevents surprise bills:
- Health insurance: often used initially to cover urgent care. Your health insurer may seek
reimbursement from your settlement (subrogation). - Auto medical payment (Med-Pay): if you have Med-Pay, it pays medical costs regardless of
fault and does not require reimbursement in many cases. - At-fault driver’s insurance: ultimately responsible, but will only pay after a settlement or
judgment. - Liens and providers: medical providers may place liens or agree to treat on a lien pending
settlement. Attorneys negotiate liens down to increase your net recovery. - Government programs: Medicare or Medi-Cal have specific repayment rules and may assert
liens; federal rules apply where Medicare paid for services. - Workers’ compensation: if the crash occurred at work, workers’ comp may cover medical
care, with different coordination rules.
An attorney manages bills, communicates with providers, negotiates reductions, handles
health insurer subrogation, and structures settlement allocations to maximize what you keep
after liens and reimbursements.