Yes, health insurance covers car accident injuries, but it typically only applies after auto insurance benefits are used. Also, whether or not you can rely on your health insurance will depend on your policy’s terms as well as your plan’s coverage limits.
If you were hurt in a collision, you might be wondering if your health insurance will pay for the cost of the treatment you need in the aftermath of the crash. The confusion that comes with handling medical bills, accident claims, and insurance policies can feel overwhelming.
However, you don’t have to sort through it on your own. Instead, let a Kansas City car accident lawyer help you make sense of your options.
You can count on your attorney to advocate for you while explaining how your health insurance interacts with accident-related expenses.
Understanding Health Insurance Coverage for Car Accident Injuries
Many people wonder, “Does health insurance cover car accident injuries?” in the aftermath of a collision. Health insurance policies are designed to cover a wide range of medical expenses, including those incurred from crashes involving vehicles.
In many cases, health insurance will typically cover emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgical procedures, diagnostic tests, and rehabilitation services. However, your coverage will be subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the policy:
- Deductibles
- Copayments
- Coinsurance
Deductibles and Out-of-Pocket Costs
Many health insurance plans require policyholders to pay a deductible before the insurance coverage goes into effect. Additionally, even after the deductible is met, policyholders are often responsible for a portion of the costs by way of copayments and coinsurance.
These out-of-pocket expenses can accumulate quickly, especially in the case of serious injuries resulting from a car crash.
Network Restrictions
Health insurance policies often have networks of preferred providers. Receiving care from out-of-network providers can lead to higher out-of-pocket costs. In some cases, your insurance claim might be denied altogether, resulting in no coverage at all.
It’s important to verify whether the healthcare providers involved in treating your injuries are within the insurance network. This is an effective way to actively minimize additional expenses.
The Role of Auto Insurance in Covering Medical Expenses
In Missouri, drivers are required to carry minimum liability insurance, including coverage for bodily injury. This insurance is intended to cover medical expenses for injuries caused to other people in collisions where the policyholder is at fault for the crash.
However, this type of coverage might not be sufficient to cover all your medical expenses, especially if you were involved in a serious collision.
Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)
Missouri law allows drivers to purchase MedPay as part of their auto insurance policy. MedPay covers medical expenses for injuries sustained by the policyholder and passengers, regardless of who is at fault.
This coverage can help bridge the gap between your health insurance and the total amount of medical expenses that you incur following the collision.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
If the at-fault driver lacks insurance or sufficient coverage, Missouri law requires drivers to carry Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage.
These coverages can help pay for medical expenses and other damages when the at-fault party’s insurance is either inadequate or nonexistent.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
The Interaction Between Health Insurance and Auto Insurance
When both health insurance and auto insurance are available to cover medical expenses from a car crash, it’s important to coordinate benefits. Typically, health insurance is considered the primary payer, and auto insurance serves as secondary coverage.
However, the order of payment can vary depending on the specifics of the policies involved and Missouri’s legal requirements.
Subrogation and Reimbursement
After health insurance is used to pay for your medical expenses, your insurance provider might try to be reimbursed by the at–fault party‘s insurer. This is a process that is known as subrogation.
That said, in Missouri, health insurance companies are generally prohibited from seeking reimbursement for medical expenses paid on behalf of an insured individual following a car accident, unless an exception applies. This legal principle is known as “anti-subrogation.”
However, certain types of health insurance plans—such as those governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)—have provisions in place that make reimbursement possible.
Missouri’s Legal Framework and Its Impact on Coverage
The state of Missouri operates under a comparative fault system. This means that any compensation you receive for damages stemming from a collision will likely be reduced based on your percentage of fault in the crash.
This system can affect the amount of compensation that you are eligible to receive from the at-fault party’s insurance. Consequently, this law also impacts the extent to which health insurance can cover your medical expenses.
Call Our Kansas City Car Accident Law Firm ASAP to Learn if Your Health Insurance Covers Car Accident Injuries
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car-related collision, it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed, stressed, and nervous about all the medical bills coming your way. Not only are healthcare expenses looming, but the idea of filing insurance claims can feel like too much.
At Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, we know how hard it can be to think about the logistics of everything during such an emotional time in your life. But that’s what we’re here for, and we want to let you know that you don’t have to figure everything out on your own.
With 45 years of combined experience, our Kansas City car accident attorneys have recovered over $1 billion in compensation for people in situations just like yours.
It’s Your Injury. Our Fight. And you can count on us to pursue compensation on your behalf. We’re here for you.
