A car crash often results in medical bills before you have even had time to process what happened. In Colorado, medical payments coverage, often called MedPay, helps cover those expenses no matter who was at fault. Your Centennial car accident lawyer can explain how this coverage works and help you use it strategically so you can concentrate on recovery instead of worrying about costs.
Table of Contents
What Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay) Includes
How MedPay Differs From Health Insurance
MedPay and Fault Laws in Colorado
How MedPay Works With Liability Coverage
Reimbursement Rules After Settlement
Common Misconceptions About MedPay
When Medical Payments Coverage Ends
How MedPay Applies in Serious and Fatal Crashes
Medical Payments in Catastrophic Injury Cases
Coverage in Wrongful Death Situations
How to Check If You Have MedPay
How to File a MedPay Claim After a Crash
What Happens When MedPay Is Denied
Contact Your Centennial Car Accident Lawyer From Manning Herington Accident & Injury Attorneys Today
What Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay) Includes
Medical payments coverage, or MedPay, is optional in Colorado but must be offered to every driver under Colorado Revised Statutes § 10-4-635. This protection pays for necessary and reasonable medical expenses tied to an auto accident. Having MedPay in place gives you immediate access to coverage that can ease the financial strain of treatment after a crash.
What Expenses Are Covered
MedPay can pay for a wide range of accident-related medical costs, including hospital stays, surgeries, ambulance transport, X-rays, and prosthetic devices. It may also help cover chiropractic visits or rehabilitation therapy when those treatments are prescribed for accident injuries. According to the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), these benefits apply no matter who caused the crash. This means you can receive prompt medical care without delays tied to insurance investigations.
MedPay covers necessary care immediately, meaning it can be an essential lifeline after a serious collision. Payments go directly to healthcare providers so you can stay on track with your recovery. The goal is to help you heal without added stress from unpaid medical bills.
How MedPay Differs From Health Insurance
Unlike traditional health insurance, MedPay does not require a deductible or co-pay before benefits begin. It can also extend coverage to passengers or anyone else injured in a crash involving your vehicle. This level of protection allows you to help others without facing extra financial pressure.
MedPay can also work alongside your existing health insurance to fill coverage gaps and pay for items your plan might exclude. For example, if your insurer limits physical therapy visits, MedPay can cover additional sessions that support your recovery. By combining both forms of coverage, you can reduce out-of-pocket expenses and focus on regaining your health.
MedPay and Fault Laws in Colorado
Colorado follows an at-fault insurance system under Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-4-1601. This means the driver responsible for the crash is legally obligated to pay for the resulting damages. MedPay offers immediate financial relief by covering medical costs while fault and liability are still being determined.
How MedPay Works With Liability Coverage
After an accident, it can take time for insurance companies to investigate and determine who is at fault. MedPay fills that waiting period by paying your medical bills right away, regardless of the outcome of the liability claim. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), claim settlements can take weeks or even months. This makes MedPay a valuable resource for quick access to care.
Once liability is established, your MedPay benefits continue to support your recovery until the settlement or verdict is finalized. This immediate access to funds helps prevent unpaid bills from going to collections and keeps treatment on track. By having MedPay, you gain a cushion that protects your health and finances while the legal process unfolds.
Reimbursement Rules After Settlement
If another driver is later found responsible for your injuries, your insurance company may seek repayment for MedPay benefits already paid out. This process, known as subrogation, ensures the insurer recovers costs that should be covered by the at-fault party. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 10-4-641, these reimbursement rights are clearly defined to prevent duplicate payments for the same expenses.
When you work with our personal injury attorneys, we can help you understand how subrogation affects your final settlement. We will also make sure any repayment to your insurer is fair and properly calculated. With legal guidance, you can protect the compensation that rightfully belongs to you while remaining compliant with reimbursement rules.
Common Misconceptions About MedPay
Many drivers in Colorado misunderstand what medical payments coverage includes and how it works with other insurance policies. The Colorado Division of Insurance provides detailed guidance on MedPay, yet myths still cause confusion about when and how benefits apply. Knowing the facts can help you make informed choices about your coverage before an accident occurs. Here are some of the most common misconceptions about MedPay:
- “MedPay only applies if I caused the crash.” MedPay covers medical expenses regardless of fault. This gives you quick access to funds while liability is still being determined.
- “It replaces health insurance.” MedPay supplements your existing health coverage. It can pay bills that your insurance may not fully cover.
- “It covers lost wages.” MedPay only applies to medical costs, not income you lose while recovering.
- “Passengers are not covered.” MedPay extends protection to others injured in a crash involving your vehicle, including both pedestrians and cyclists.
- “It is unnecessary if I already have good health insurance.” Even with strong health coverage, MedPay can cover deductibles, co-pays, and services your policy excludes.
- “Using MedPay will increase my premiums.” MedPay claims do not typically raise your insurance rates since they are treated separately from liability claims.
- “There is no limit to MedPay benefits.” Most policies include specific coverage caps, often starting at $5,000, though higher limits can be purchased for added protection.
MedPay is a separate benefit that works with your other forms of insurance. It is designed to supplement, not replace, your health or auto coverage. When you understand these distinctions, you can use MedPay strategically to protect your finances and receive timely medical care after a crash.
When Medical Payments Coverage Ends
Medical payments coverage does not last indefinitely. It ends once the coverage limits listed in your policy are fully used or after your case settles if reimbursement is required. When you know benefits will eventually end, you can plan for future medical expenses and avoid unexpected bills.
Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 10-4-636, MedPay benefits terminate once the insurer has paid the maximum policy limit for covered expenses. This statute ensures that payments are distributed fairly and within the terms of the contract. Once that limit is reached, any remaining medical costs may need to be submitted through health insurance or recovered through a personal injury claim.
To avoid gaps in protection, review your policy regularly and pay attention to renewal notices or exclusions. Some policies require active renewal to keep MedPay coverage in place. By understanding these terms ahead of time, you can make informed choices about keeping continuous coverage for future accidents.
How MedPay Applies in Serious and Fatal Crashes
In catastrophic or fatal collisions, medical payments coverage can provide crucial support during the most difficult moments. MedPay helps families manage immediate medical expenses while they begin to process what has happened. If a loved one’s life is lost, this coverage may also assist with certain costs tied to a wrongful death case.
Medical Payments in Catastrophic Injury Cases
When a crash causes life-altering injuries, MedPay can cover emergency room care, ambulance transport, surgeries, and initial rehabilitation costs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that trauma-care expenses often reach tens of thousands of dollars, even before long-term treatment begins. Having MedPay means you can access urgent care quickly instead of delaying treatment due to cost concerns.
MedPay may also help pay for specialized rehabilitation or follow-up appointments while you pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. It provides a financial cushion that allows you to stay focused on recovery. With this safety net in place, you can continue receiving necessary care without falling behind on medical bills.
Coverage in Wrongful Death Situations
If a fatal crash occurs, MedPay can help pay for funeral or burial expenses. While these benefits can ease some financial strain, they do not replace the compensation available through a wrongful death lawsuit. Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-21-201 allows surviving family members to bring a claim seeking damages for their emotional and financial losses.
In these cases, MedPay acts as an immediate source of relief while you pursue justice through legal action. It can help you handle some of the financial stress before a settlement or verdict is reached. This combination of short-term coverage and long-term legal recovery gives families space to focus on healing and honoring their loved one’s memory.
How to Check If You Have MedPay
Many Colorado drivers are unsure whether their policy includes medical payments coverage. You can confirm your coverage by reviewing your insurance declarations page or contacting your insurer directly. Under state law, every insurer must offer MedPay unless you rejected it in writing, so it may already be part of your policy without you realizing it. Here are a few steps to help you verify your MedPay coverage:
- Review your declarations page. This document lists every type of coverage on your policy, including MedPay limits if they apply.
- Contact your insurance agent or representative. They can quickly confirm whether MedPay is active and explain how much coverage you have.
- Check your renewal paperwork. MedPay may be renewed automatically unless you opted out, so your most recent policy packet can determine your status.
- Look through your online account or app. Most insurers provide a digital version of your policy where you can view coverage types and limits.
- Ask for written confirmation. If you are unsure, request a confirmation letter from your insurer showing whether MedPay is included and the amount available.
- Compare previous policies. If you have switched insurers, your prior policy may have offered MedPay even if your new one does not.
It is wise to review your MedPay limits each time you renew your policy. When you adjust coverage based on your family’s needs, you can make sure you have enough protection for medical costs after a crash.
How to File a MedPay Claim After a Crash
Filing a medical payments coverage claim is simple when you know what documents to prepare. You will need to submit your accident report and medical records along with itemized bills showing your treatment. Your insurer may also ask for proof that the injuries resulted from the crash, so keeping your paperwork organized helps your claim move faster.
Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 10-4-642, insurance companies must follow fair claim-handling standards when reviewing MedPay submissions. This law ensures that insurers evaluate claims honestly and pay benefits owed within the limits of your policy. If you provide complete and accurate information from the start, you can reduce delays and receive funds more quickly.
The Colorado Division of Insurance requires insurers to process MedPay claims efficiently once they receive your documentation. If additional verification is needed, your insurer must notify you within a reasonable time frame. By staying in communication with your claims representative and sending updates as requested, you can get your medical expenses covered without unnecessary setbacks.
What Happens When MedPay Is Denied
Insurance companies sometimes deny medical payments coverage claims, often because of missing information or policy exclusions. These denials can be frustrating, especially when you are already managing recovery and medical bills. The Colorado Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division provides helpful guidance for appealing denials and ensuring your rights are protected. Here are some of the most common reasons MedPay claims get denied:
- Late filing of the claim
- Incomplete or missing documentation
- Expenses not considered medically necessary
- Duplicate coverage
- Policy exclusions
- Incorrect policy information
- Expired coverage
If your claim is denied, request a written explanation from your insurer outlining the specific reasons for the decision. Keep copies of all claim-related materials in one place for easy reference during the appeal process. Having organized records can make it easier for us to address any potential errors or misunderstandings in your claim.
Reviewing Your Policy Matters
Taking time to review your insurance policy each year helps you avoid unexpected issues when filing a claim. Many drivers assume their MedPay coverage will renew automatically or stay the same, but limits can change without notice. Regular check-ins with your insurer ensure you always know exactly what protection you have in place.
Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 10-4-635, linked above, insurers must offer medical payments coverage to every driver unless it is rejected in writing. This law protects your right to access immediate medical benefits after a crash. By confirming that MedPay is active on your policy, you can take advantage of this important safeguard whenever an accident occurs.
When you keep adequate MedPay coverage, both you and your passengers are protected by financial support that covers essential medical costs right away. It provides security that allows everyone in your vehicle to receive care without delay. You should review your policy annually to make sure your coverage still meets your family’s needs.
Contact Your Centennial Car Accident Lawyer From Manning Herington Accident & Injury Attorneys Today
After a crash, you deserve a legal team that knows how to secure real results and explain your insurance options clearly. With a 99% success rate, our firm has helped countless crash victims make sense of MedPay and obtain the compensation they are rightfully entitled to receive. Contact us today to speak with a car accident lawyer in Centennial from Manning Herington Accident & Injury Attorneys who will take charge of your case and work tirelessly to secure fair compensation.
