If you’ve ever had a car accident, you may have had difficulty paying your medical bills with the help of health insurance that doesn’t cover medical expenses after car accidents.
With Medical Payments coverage for auto insurance, you can pay for those post-accident expenses that your health insurance or other auto insurance plans cannot cover.
A Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage is an optional cover that you can add to your auto insurance policy. It covers the driver and the passengers’ medical expenses if they are injured in a car accident, regardless of who is to blame. The policy also covers your medical expenses if you are injured while driving in your friends’ car, or hit by a vehicle while walking or cycling on the road.
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Read on to learn more about the benefits, limitations, costs, and entitlements of Medical Payment Coverage.
What expenses does auto medical payments cover?
If you get injured in a car accident, your medical payments coverage will pay for the following expenses:
· Doctor visits
· Surgery and X-rays
· Emergency services and ambulance fees
· Hospital visits and stays
· Dental procedures required as a result of an accident
· Injuries sustained as a pedestrian or cyclist if a vehicle hits you
· Professional nursing services and care
· Prosthetic limbs
· Funeral expenses
Who is covered under the medical payments policy?
The coverage protects everyone sitting in the car at the time of the collision, regardless of who caused the accident. It can pay for the medical treatment if
· You get injured while driving the car
· You get injured as a passenger in a car
· You are hit by a car while walking or cycling on the street.
How can you apply for Medical Payment Coverage?
You can request a direct refund or add your MedPay coverage to your health insurance. It depends on what your auto and health insurances allow and whether you live in a no-fault state.
In the event of an accident, inform your auto insurance provider about the accident and give the healthcare provider details of your insurance. Many healthcare providers can offer you cashless benefits for your MedPay cover. Otherwise, you can apply for reimbursement later.
If you have health insurance, you can use it to pay your bills instantly while your MedPay claim is approved. Sometimes your car insurance company works with your health care provider to settle the expenses, and you don’t have to get involved much in the process.
Do you need a MedPay if you have a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) plan?
Both Personal Injury Protection plan and a Medical Payments cover are optional covers under auto insurance, offering similar benefits. PIP is more comprehensive. However, PIP is subject to claim limits. Also, it is mandatory to take a PIP cover in no-fault situations. Therefore, if you live in a no-fault state, you might want to add MedPay to your auto insurance to cover the expenses that exceed the PIP limits.
However, In contrast to PIP, MedPay does not cover any other accident-related costs such as loss of wages or childcare caused by the accident.
Do you need a MedPay if you have health insurance?
Some health insurance plans do not cover medical expenses as a result of car accidents. MedPay can help you pay for those expenses. Moreover, your health insurance plan will pay the costs minus deductible. Your MedPay cover can pay for the excess. However, if your health insurance covers car accidents and you don’t have a deductible, you don’t need a medical payment cover.
Remember that your Medical payments plan does not replace your health insurance. It only covers the medical expenses for injuries resulting from car accidents.
What is the difference between liability insurance and a medical payment cover?
Auto liability insurance is compulsory in many states. However, it does not cover medical expenses for you or your passengers after a car accident. Medical payments coverage, on the other hand, is an optional plan that covers your medical expenses and those of your passengers. You can add MedPay cover to your liability insurance for comprehensive medical coverage.
What are medical payment coverage limits?
Medical payments coverage comes with limits, usually below $25,000; beyond that, all medical expenses fall on you. You can choose your limit while buying a MedPay cover. Remember, high limits would mean higher premiums.
When choosing your coverage limit, consider the short-term emergency medical expenses following a car accident. You should have enough coverage to meet those expenses immediately.
How much can medical payments car insurance cost?
The cost of your medical payments cover depends on various factors such as your auto insurance, age, health records, and your driving history etc. However, a basic cover of $1000 can cost you around $5 to $6, and coverage of $10000 can cost you $5 to $25.
How can you determine your medical payment coverage needs?
It is good to study your health insurance policy before deciding on your MedPay insurance needs. If your health insurance provider isn’t ready to cover potential medical bills from car accidents, you may want to invest in a medical payment plan. However, you can always add medical payment protection to your current car insurance online or by phone.
We encourage you to consult an authorized agent to understand the need for your auto insurance and medical payment plans.
Conclusion
It is up to you to decide whether or not you need medical payment coverage. Read your health and auto insurance policies carefully to understand coverage limits and deductibles. Talk to a professional insurance advisor and see if your existing insurance has enough coverage to pay for the medical expenses as a result of a car accident. A MedPay cover can help you pay your medical costs at the time of a car accident, regardless of who is at fault. It is useful in paying deductibles and other medical expenses that your standard policy won’t cover.
