Can I use my health insurance after a car accident?

Yes, you can and usually should, use health insurance after a car accident in Tennessee. This includes Medicare and TennCare (Medicaid) plans. Private or public health insurance should be used for all doctor, hospital, pharmacy and therapy bills resulting from a car accident personal injury.

There are many reasons why health insurance is not utilized after a car wreck. After serious accidents some are unable to provide their insurance card to the hospital or don’t have it on them. Upon discharge, some think health insurance will deny the claim because it is auto accident related, think it is unfair for the other driver gets a discount because of your health insurance. Trusted Car Accident Lawyer George Angelopoulos knows how to make health insurance increase your bottom line.

Call 615-422-7171 or tell us your health insurance situation and George will explain how to proceed. We know the process following a car accident injury is painful and confusing. In addition to obtaining compensation George handles bill management and benefit coordination. George finds and uses all available coverage to your advantage.

Why Should I use health insurance after a personal injury?

The best reason to use health insurance after a car accident is because Tennessee recognizes ‘The Collateral Source Rule’, which was recently upheld in the case of Dedmon v. Steelman. This, in part, means the at fault driver does not get a reduction on their liability because the injured party had health insurance. Collateral Sources can also be cash discounts, write offs or billing reductions.

For example: If you incurred a $10,000 hospital bill from a car accident then submitted the bill to health insurance you might pay $2,000 of the hospital bill. The amount you pay is reduced by in network benefits and payments from the health insurance company. Because of Tennessee’s Collateral Source Rule you are able to recover the full $10,000 from the at fault driver, not just the $2,000 paid. This puts more money in your pocket. Keep in mind if you receive compensation after a car accident then your health insurance provider has a right to subrogation of the benefits paid.

Car Accident Lawyer George Angelopoulos knows how to maximize your bottom line. This is a hidden benefit of retaining a personal injury lawyer and on the list of reasons why even after attorney fees most obtain more money than if they dealt with the insurance companies alone.

Even if the hospital has the health insurance information they may not submit the claim after a car accident. Most Emergency Rooms have specialists who review auto accident medical bills. They will call or mail questionnaires after the accident trying to find alternate insurance. The hospital knows what they get in the $10,000 example above. The Hospital has an incentive to make a coordination of benefits argument if other policies are available. Sometimes the hospital will file a lien on the full bill, which must be paid if money is recovered.