Our simple answer is yes. If you’ve been injured in an accident in Virginia, we recommend that you use your health insurance for your treatment. You may be thinking that because someone else caused your injuries, this is unfair. We understand this sentiment. But don’t let your emotions get the best of you. Here’s why:
You have health insurance for a reason – to get better.
Health insurance is meant to protect you in the event of injury, regardless of how you were hurt. Health insurance provides you access to care, allows you to get the treatment you need, and gives you the best chance to get back to 100%. You paid good premium for your coverage, so use it.
Car accident claims take time. And you want your doctors to get paid.
Pursuing a car accident claim takes weeks, months, or years depending on the complexity of your injuries. Health insurance ensures that your in-network health care providers get paid, at least partially, while you seek out your care.
To be clear, in accident cases, car insurance companies typically will not pay for your individual medical bills (except in instances of med-pay or medical expense coverage). Indeed, if successful, you’ll get one lump-sum payment at the end of the case. Meanwhile, your medical providers will want to get paid. Using your health insurance will help cushion you from collections efforts by your doctors.
Do you like discounts? Well, that’s another reason to use your health insurance.
A huge benefit of using your health insurance is the health insurance discount. Take a look at your medical bills paid by your health insurance. You will notice that the health insurance company paid a “negotiated rate.”
For example, let’s say you were charged $100.00 for a doctor’s visit. The paid bill will likely show the health insurance company only paid $40. Perhaps you had a co-pay of $5. In your car accident case, you will claim that $100.00 bill plus pain, suffering, inconvenience, and lost wages. If successful, you may be required to reimburse your health insurance. But you will only pay the $40.00 despite of claiming the $100.00 plus other damages.
Stated another way, you want health insurance to pay your medical bills because you get the benefit of their negotiated rate.
Still have questions?
Make sure to check out our Personal Injury & Criminal Defense Practice Pages where we’ve answered many other questions you likely have. James Abrenio is a Fairfax-Based Personal Injury & Criminal Defense attorney who practices throughout Northern Virginia. You can learn more about James Abrenio, some of our Prior Results, and Read Our Reviews. Make sure to contact us at Ph. 703-570-4180 for your Free Consultation.