When medical bills arrive before your crash claim settles
A patient financial counselor on handling the bills
A provider may send you a bill while your injury claim is still open. Don’t expect the other driver’s insurer to pay each charge as it comes in. Open every bill and notice. Make sure the service was yours, with the correct date. Check that the provider has your correct auto and health insurance information. [1, 2]
See whether insurance handled it
Ask for an itemized bill. Compare it with the explanation of benefits from each insurer. A balance may come from a deductible, a denial, a missing claim number or a bill sent to the wrong payer. If there’s a billing error, ask the provider to fix it and resubmit the bill. Keep notes on the call and the date the bill should go back out. [1, 2]
Ask for more time or financial help
If you do owe a balance, call the billing office before the due date. Ask whether it will hold off on collections while insurance reviews the charge. Request a payment plan or an application for financial assistance. Nonprofit hospitals must offer help to patients who qualify. Other providers may have programs too. Get any agreement in writing. [2, 3]
Don't ignore collection notices
A pending crash claim is no reason to ignore a debt collector. Ask for details about the debt. If something is wrong, dispute it in writing quickly. Keep copies of the bill, the insurance decisions and your dispute. Some emergency bills have extra protections under the No Surprises Act. If the amount or the collector’s claim looks wrong, ask a patient advocate or legal aid group for help. [2, 4]
Before you pay, ask the provider
- Which insurers have gotten this bill?
- Will you hold off on collections during a documented review?
- What payment plans or assistance can I get?
Start with your oldest bill
Pick your oldest unpaid bill and trace its path through insurance today. [1]
Sources and further reading
- 1Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, checking medical bills
- 2Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, bills and collections
- 3Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, payment options
- 4Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, medical debt collection rights
This general education comes from a patient financial counseling view. An open liability claim doesn’t put a provider’s bill on hold by itself. Billing protections and assistance depend on your coverage and where you live.
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