by Guest » Thu Jun 17, 2010 04:38 am
I was involved in an auto accident. The other party was at fault. I am represented by an atty. for that. My question is about my own medpay coverage. I filed my emergency room visit own my health insurance. Will my auto carrier pay me back.
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 07:40 am Post Subject:
Did you inform your Auto insurer regarding the mishap?
Medpay is supposed to pay you back for all the medical expenses that you and your co-passengers would meet in the event of an accident.
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 11:05 am Post Subject:
Most health carriers will subrogate your medpay and/or bi settlement. If your carrier does pay you the medpay direct, I'd advise you hold on to it, your health carrier will eventually come a lookin!
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 01:24 pm Post Subject:
Medpay is supposed to pay you back for all the medical expenses that you and your co-passengers would meet in the event of an accident.
This is not necessarily correct. Medical payments in an auto policy are often described as "excess" coverage. In such cases, only in the event that other insurance does not cover, or cover the full amount of, the claim would a person be entitled to recovery through their auto policy.
If injured as the result of a third-party's negligence, using one's personal medical insurance to pay the claim allows the health insurer to recover its loss from the third-party (or their insurer). If the injured party recovers from that person, the health insurer can force recovery from the injured party under the concept of subrogation -- the reason being the health insurer would have had no loss except for the action of the third party.
The first party cannot have both their claim paid by their health insurance company and collect an equivalent amount of money from another party (or insurance policy) for the same event, thereby creating a profit for himself (essentially having the bill paid twice).
You also err when you write "all your medical expenses" -- that's definitely not correct. Each policy has a limit of liability varying from a minimum of $1,000 to usually not more than $5,000. If your unpaid bills exceed the limit in the policy, the insurer's only responsibility is to pay the maximum benefit promised in the policy.
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 10:35 am Post Subject:
The first party cannot have both their claim paid by their health insurance company and collect an equivalent amount of money from another party (or insurance policy) for the same event, thereby creating a profit for himself (essentially having the bill paid twice).
Max, some states, (mine as an example) do allow "double dipping".. :wink:Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 03:56 pm Post Subject:
Interesting! Next time I'm in Missouri, I'll have to give it a try!!
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 08:50 pm Post Subject:
Come on down, Max...we'll show ya' how to double dip :wink:
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