If you’ve been hurt in a car accident in Las Vegas, one of the most mind-boggling aspects you may have to deal with is figuring out who’s going to cover your medical bills and when. That’s why the Las Vegas personal injury lawyers at ER Injury Attorneys are here with the info you need on coordination of benefits.
Coordination of Benefits in Nevada: The Bigger Picture
The easiest way to get your head around coordinating your benefits is to think of it as a two-stage system:
- The immediate aftermath: Who’s going to cover your medical bills right this minute?
- After the settlement: Who gets reimbursed once your case settles?
Let’s break down each phase.
Phase One: Who Covers the Hospital Bills Right Now?
As soon as the accident happens, medical providers start sending you bills–they don’t wait till you’ve got a settlement. Since the at-fault driver’s insurance only kicks in at the end of the case, some other coverage has to step in first.
First in Line: Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)
MedPay is a type of coverage that you can buy on your own car insurance policy–it’s optional. In Nevada, insurance companies are required to offer at least $1,000 in MedPay coverage (although you can choose to say no to it in writing).
- Priority: MedPay is the first one to pay.
- What it covers: Any medical bills related to the accident, no matter who’s at fault.
- What it costs: zero copays or deductibles.
- The good news: In most states, MedPay doesn’t have to be repaid from your settlement. You paid for it with your premiums, and it’s considered a benefit.
Because MedPay pays out so quickly and hassle-free, it’s often the most valuable coverage for people who get hurt in Las Vegas car crashes.
Second in Line: Your Health Insurance
Once MedPay has been maxed out (or if you didn’t have MedPay in the first place), your health insurance becomes the next one in line in the benefits coordination process.
- Your medical providers send your bills to your health insurer like they would for any other medical treatment or medical expenses.
- You’re responsible for your normal copays and deductibles.
- Your health insurer will probably ask if the treatment was related to an accident, because that affects the next phase of your claim.
Phase Two: Settling Up, Reimbursement, and Giving Back to Your Insurer
After you’ve finished all of your treatment, your lawyer will pursue a settlement from the at-fault driver’s insurance. And this is where coordination of benefits starts to turn into reimbursing your insurer.
What is subrogation?
When your health insurance paid medical bills because someone else was being careless, they might say they have the right to be repaid out of your settlement. This is called subrogation.
Here to Help with Coordination of Benefits
The Las Vegas injury lawyers at ER Injury Attorneys are here to provide you with the information you need on the coordination of benefits after an accident, and we’re here if you need help with the claims process.
ER Injury Attorneys is available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can reach us right now by dialing 702-878-7878 and online through LiveChat or the contact form.
ER Injury Attorneys represents accident victims throughout Southern Nevada, including Henderson, Summerlin, Pahrump, Boulder City, Laughlin, and beyond. Get in touch with us today to get the legal advocacy you need.