This is my next post in a series of articles which will discuss dealing with medical bills following a car accident in Peoria, Illinois. My last article addressed the fact that victims of car accidents should never let medical expenses keep them from seeking medical attention. It is often the case that because of medical liens, individuals do not need to pay for their medical care upfront. Rather, the cost is paid at a later time from the settlement. In this article, I will further explain the medical lien process and how medical providers and insurers often assert liens in car accident cases. If you or a loved one are in need of assistance following a car accident then contact my office to speak with a lawyer.
Medical providers and insurers will often assert liens in a car accident case
An injured person can often receive medical treatment following an accident without having to cover the expenses right away. Instead, healthcare providers and health insurance companies often assert liens against a settlement the victim may receive. There are two types of liens that typically arise: provider liens and insurance liens. A provider lien is asserted by doctors, hospitals, or any other medical professional with the expectation of being paid after the case has resolved. For example, a hospital could treat a person injured in a car accident and file a provider lien against any future settlement. The hospital in this situation is agreeing to provide services now and get paid later. An insurance lien–also known as a subrogation claim– allows a health insurance provider to recover what it paid from an eventual settlement.
Medical liens are negotiable. An experienced attorney can help negotiate liens down as part of the settlement process. Hospitals and insurance companies understand that collecting something is better than leaving with nothing. In some circumstances, medical bills may total more than the settlement amount. This is where negotiating the liens is critical. Successful negotiation of lien amounts can be advantageous for victims so that they are able to keep as much of their settlement as possible.
Retain an attorney immediately if you have been in a Peoria car accident
If you have been injured in a vehicle crash and have concerns about paying medical bills before a settlement is awarded then contact my office today to speak with a Peoria injury lawyer. I am a skilled lawyer who takes pride in providing a high level of service. An experienced attorney helps a victim deal with medical providers and insurance companies from the point of being hired all the way through the case’s resolution.
Counsel assists accident victims in many ways, including:
- Notifying providers of representation
- Requesting medical records and itemized bills
- Coordinating care with different providers if needed
- Calculating damages
- Verifying outstanding balances
- Negotiating lien reductions
Contact us online or by phone today to schedule an initial consultation. My firm also serves clients in the Illinois cities of Bloomington, Eureka, Galesburg, Morton, Normal, Pekin, Springfield, and Washington.
