When you sustain injuries from an auto accident or other major incident, it can take time for your health insurance to kick in and take care of your bills. Auto insurance companies and other insurance companies won’t pay as you seek treatment.
Instead, they expect you first to take care of those bills and submit them to their office for review. Although that may not sound like a bad thing, healthcare bills can quickly add up, and your healthcare provider may stop treating you until you pay them for your outstanding bills. According to the CDC, the cost of medical care after an auto accident costs healthcare providers over $75 billion every year.
So what are you to do in this type of situation? Obtain a letter of protection.
If you have heard about a letter of protection, but you aren’t sure if it can help your situation, you came to the right place. We will cover what this essential legal document is, what it can do for you, and who you can contact for further guidance.
What Is a Letter of Protection?
Medical treatment for auto accident injuries or other personal injury cases can quickly become expensive. Even if you have insurance or are in the process of suing the at-fault party for your damages and injuries, it can take some time before you receive your settlement.
If you can’t pay for your medical care, your attorney can draft a letter of protection on your behalf. This legal paper guarantees payment for your medical expenses once your case settles.
How Does a Letter of Protection Work?
A letter of protection LOP is a legal contract that binds you, your health care provider, and your attorney. In certain situations, your attorney may draft up this letter to stop collection efforts on medical bills if your insurer denies payment.
For example, let’s say you were involved in a rear-end auto accident that left you with injuries. As you go about going treatment, your medical insurance company may refuse to pay for your care because there is an at-fault party that should issue payment instead. When your lawyer issues the letter of protection, you can continue to seek treatment for injuries.
Are LOPs Common?
Letters of protection are relatively common in personal injury cases. Most healthcare providers look for ways to ensure they receive payment for their services.
This especially happens in cases where an at-fault party can pay instead of your private health insurer.
Some medical providers make their own LOPs that provide a lien against your injury claim.
If you receive a document from a hospital or your doctor that looks like a LOP, make sure you give it to your attorney. The wording in that document may bind you to the hospital, which will leave your attorney out of the equation.
When Will My Medical Bills Get Paid?
As mentioned earlier, your settlement amount will pay your hospital bills from a car accident once your case settles. Your attorney is legally obligated to pay off your medical bills with your settlement money. If you lose your case, you will bear responsibility for paying your bills.
Benefits of a LOP
Suppose you don’t have medical insurance or cannot afford to pay for your medical treatment after an accident. In that case, you can benefit from having your personal injury attorney draft this letter. Even if you are unsure when your settlement will come through, you can use this document to get the treatment you need.
Preserves Your Credit Score
Not only does this allow you to get the help you need, but it also protects your credit score. Credit collection agencies cannot reach out to you about your medical bills as long as you have a valid letter of protection.
Attorneys Can Negotiate a Fair Settlement
As you know, personal injury cases can drag on for months, if not years, before you will hear about the final verdict. While your lawyer fights for the compensation you deserve, you can continue to seek medical treatment.
You won’t have to worry about accepting a low offer just because you need to pay for your medical expenses. Instead, your attorney can focus more of their time and efforts on negotiating your case.
LOPs and Auto Accident Medical Bills
Typically, when you go to the doctor, you must pay for your treatment at the time of services rendered. Most people don’t realize that health insurance plans refuse to make payments for medical treatments related to auto accidents.
As mentioned earlier, this is because there is a possible at-fault party who can pay for your treatment. Health insurance providers don’t like to pay for anything they don’t have to. They expect you to look towards the auto insurer to pay your debts.
Unfortunately, auto carriers don’t pay for medical care as you need it. Instead, they expect you to pay for your treatment and then submit your bills all at once. If you have an attorney, they can’t make any payments until after you complete treatment and settle the case.
Even if you don’t have an attorney, auto insurers still won’t provide you with a settlement amount until you’re close to finishing or have entirely finished treatment. They know that you are under a lot of stress and want this situation to be done with.
So to “help you out,” they will quickly offer you a low settlement offer. To ensure that you get the proper compensation and treatment you deserve, you can reach out to a reputable personal injury attorney to issue a letter of protection on your behalf.
Receive the Treatment and Settlement You Deserve
After an auto accident or other significant event, taking care of yourself is more than just paying for medical bills. You also have to heal and financially plan for life after the incident mentally.
To protect your credit and your medical treatment plan, you will need your attorney to send a letter of protection on your behalf. Contact us now if you need a reputable personal injury attorney to handle your case and issue this legal document.
We understand the importance of getting back on your feet after an accident. Allow us to take care of your case while you focus on healing and planning for the future.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.RHINO.77.
