Does Medicaid pay for auto accident injuries?
Yes, Medicaid pays for auto accident injuries in Tennessee. TennCare is Tennessee’s Medicaid program. The government healthcare program provides medical benefits to qualified individuals. Properly coordinating insurance benefits, including Medicaid, can make a big impact on net personal injury compensation. TennCare recipients injured in car accidents may wonder how to handle the medical bills.
George Angelopoulos is an experienced Tennessee Car Accident Lawyer who navigates the claims process and ensures you follow the Medicaid rules. Our 615 Lawyer Reviews speak volumes about the quality of representation you can expect. We work with Medicaid recipients, Medicaid medical providers and Medicaid subrogation vendors to maximize compensation after auto accident injuries.
Many are concerned about the cost of hiring a car wreck lawyer after an accident. There is no fee unless we recover compensation. We advance all expenses and never send our clients a bill. Call 615-422-7171 or request a free personal injury attorney review of your options after a car accident today.
How Medicaid Works After a Tennessee Car Accident
If the auto accident was not your fault then the other driver can be held responsible. Their insurance company should pay your bills. However, car wreck personal injury settlements can take over a year to finalize. Your medical bills need to be paid and most providers may not wait that long for payment.
If you qualify for TennCare we push medical providers to submit the bills to Medicaid. This results in a contractual payment of around 15% of the gross medical bill. The remainder is typically written off. The good news for Medicaid auto accident injury victims is Tennessee follows the Collateral Source Rule and the at fault driver still owes the full amount of the bill.
Should I Use Medicaid to Pay My Hospital Bills?
Yes, you should use Medicaid to pay hospital bills after a Tennessee car accident. Medicaid (TennCare) ensures you get necessary medical treatment after an auto accident injury. Knowing how to proceed is important. Medicaid is payer of last resort, which means if third party liability insurance is available then Medicaid should pay after all other coverage is exhausted.
An experienced car accident lawyer knows how to identify immediately available third party coverage and how to employ ‘pay and chase’ provisions. When TennCare or the MCO knows a personal injury attorney is representing the Medicaid recipient they know the attorney will reimburse their costs.
One of the first things we do is put everyone on notice of representation. Not only does this stop the phone calls and letters, but it allows everyone to know their interest will be protected. George works to have all personal injury medical bills paid with the lowest amount of repayment at settlement time.
Repaying Medicaid After a Car Accident
If your car accident injury claim is successful, you will have to reimburse Medicaid for payments made, not the original bill. TennCare is entitled to reimbursement under Tenn. Code Ann. 71-5-117. Subrogation or reimbursement rights extend to Medicaid (dental & pharmacy) and Managed Care Organizations that facilitate claims like traditional health insurance. United Healthcare, BlueCross Blue Shield and Amerigroup are the current providers in 2019.
TennCare and MCOs will reduce the amount of reimbursement in many scenarios. The statutory reduction is calculated by looking at comparative fault, reasonable attorney fees and reasonable expenses tied to case representation. Reimbursement reductions flow to the bottom line net settlement increasing the money received for personal injury victims.
George Angelopoulos will enforce your rights, maximize compensation and ensure your benefits continue after an auto accident injury. Call 615-422-7171 or request a free personal injury attorney review of your situation.
