WHAT IS “MED PAY?”

by | Aug 26, 2016 | Insurance Coverage, Personal Injury

“Med Pay” is a medical expense insurance benefit that is available on most automobile insurance policies and, typically, does not require proof of another party’s fault. The scope of the coverage depends on the policy language, but, generally, “Med Pay” coverage will pay for reasonable and necessary medical expenses that you incur as the result of an accident. If you have suffered a personal injury, whether in an automobile accident, a slip and fall, a dog bite, or in some other incident, remember these five tips about “Med Pay” benefits:

  1. Check your automobile insurance policy or call your insurance agent to see if you have “Med Pay” benefits and how much you have (the benefit can range from $1,000 to $50,000 or more).
  2. In some circumstances, the other party may have “Med Pay” benefits that will cover your injuries. Finding out whether there is coverage that would benefit you under another party’s policy is difficult, though. The other party’s insurance company should tell you, but sometimes they don’t.
  3. The interplay between health insurance coverage and “Med Pay” benefits is sometimes complex and difficult. We believe that you should be able to use your “Med Pay” benefits for uninsured medical expenses, but sometimes, health insurers refuse to pay in an accident situation where “Med Pay” benefits exist. Sometimes, those health insurers may be correct, but, often, they are not. You may want or need a lawyer to help you sort through those issues.
  4. Most insurance policies that include “Med Pay” coverage also have a time limitation on what medical expenses will be paid. For instance, a common provision is that, for “Med Pay” benefits to apply, the medical expense must be incurred and/or submitted to the insurer within one year of the accident.
  5. If your insurer pays “Med Pay” benefits, it will have a right to recover the amounts paid from any money you get from the at fault party or his insurer in a settlement or as a result of a lawsuit. Your insurance carrier will typically reduce the repayment amount if you are represented by a lawyer.

“Med Pay” benefits are helpful because they provide money to help pay uninsured medical expenses and, typically, the payments are made much more quickly than you will be able to resolve your claim against the at-fault party. You may want to take a look at your insurance and consider whether you should buy “Med Pay” benefits and, if so, in what amount, before an accident occurs. Your insurance agent can help you with that.