After a car accident in Colorado, medical bills may be paid by your own insurance, the at-fault driver’s coverage, or government programs depending on the situation.
Who ends up paying matters because it decides how soon your bills get handled and whether you are left owing money out of pocket. An Aurora car accident lawyer can help you understand which options may apply in your case and what that means for the burdens weighing heavily on your shoulders.
- How Medical Bills Are Handled Immediately After a Crash
- Using Health Insurance for Emergency Care
- Medical Payments (MedPay) Coverage in Colorado
- Out-of-Pocket Costs Survivors May Face
- When the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Pays Your Medical Bills
- Other Ways to Get Your Medical Bills Paid
- Government Programs and Hospital Charity Care
- When Medical Liens Come Into Play
- Coordinating With Multiple Payers
- Car Accident Medical Bills FAQ
- How does Colorado’s fault law affect who pays my medical bills?
- Can future medical costs be included in my car accident claim?
- Can hospitals send bills to collections while I wait for settlement?
- What happens if my medical bills are higher than the at-fault driver’s policy limits?
- Are chiropractic and alternative treatments covered in Colorado car accident claims?
- Connect With Your Car Accident Lawyer in Denver Today
How Medical Bills Are Handled Immediately After a Crash
Right after a crash, medical care usually cannot wait. Survivors often turn to the insurance they already carry or programs that step in quickly to cover emergency treatment. In truck accidents and other serious crashes, who pays first can decide whether your bills are taken care of right away or left unpaid until insurers or courts decide who was at fault.
Using Health Insurance for Emergency Care
Your health insurance is often the first place bills are sent after an accident. Private health insurance or programs such as Medicaid and Medicare can help cover emergency room visits and hospital stays. Certain insurance coverage is generally required for accident-related care, which helps ensure you get the treatment you need when you need it most.
Even with coverage, you may still see deductibles or co-pays on your statements. The benefit is that treatment begins right away, so you are not waiting for an auto insurer to accept fault. By using health insurance, you can receive care while larger questions of liability are resolved.
Medical Payments (MedPay) Coverage in Colorado
Colorado drivers may also rely on Medical Payments coverage, known as MedPay. This optional coverage applies regardless of who caused the crash. The Colorado Division of Insurance explains that most policies automatically include $5,000 in MedPay unless you reject it in writing.
MedPay can be used for ambulance rides and hospital visits. It may also help cover physical therapy sessions. MedPay applies no matter who was at fault, so it offers an important safety net in the first weeks after an accident.
Out-of-Pocket Costs Survivors May Face
Even with insurance or MedPay, some costs may still fall to you. Co-pays and deductibles are common. Certain treatments may not be covered at all.
These bills can add stress at a time when you are already trying to heal. By keeping track of what you pay out of pocket, you can later include those expenses in your claim. This ensures that the money you spent personally is not overlooked when compensation is calculated.
When the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Pays Your Medical Bills
Once liability is established by insurers or the court, the at-fault driver’s insurance usually becomes the primary way your medical bills are paid. This type of coverage applies after fault has been determined, and it often works as an important source of repayment in many claims. Here are some of the costs the at-fault driver’s policy may cover:
- Emergency room bills
- Surgeries
- Rehabilitation
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy
- Follow-up visits
- Medical equipment
While these expenses may be covered, the amount you actually receive can depend on policy limits. Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-7-103 sets minimum financial responsibility requirements for drivers. Those limits are sometimes lower than the total cost of serious medical care. This means you may still face bills beyond what the at-fault driver’s policy pays, so it helps to understand how coverage limits may affect your car accident claim.
Other Ways to Get Your Medical Bills Paid
Not every bill after a crash is covered by health insurance or auto insurance. Depending on the situation, you may need to look at other ways to get your care covered so you do not fall behind on your medically required treatment plan.
Government Programs and Hospital Charity Care
Medicaid or Medicare may cover certain expenses after an accident. Hospitals in Colorado also offer financial assistance programs that reduce or forgive bills for patients who qualify. Colorado Revised Statutes § 25.5-4-301 gives Medicaid the right to seek repayment from a settlement if benefits are used for accident-related care.
These programs can be helpful, but they often come with strict rules. If you rely on them, keep records of your treatment and be prepared for repayment requests if you later receive compensation. That way, you know what to expect and can avoid surprises when your case resolves.
When Medical Liens Come Into Play
Hospitals and providers sometimes file liens when bills go unpaid. A lien is a legal claim on part of your settlement that ensures the provider is repaid for the care you received. Colorado Revised Statutes § 38-27-101 allows hospitals to assert these liens in personal injury cases.
Liens can feel stressful, but they are common and manageable. You should expect that they may appear and plan for them early. It helps to learn about liens ahead of time because that preparation makes it easier to understand the effect they may have on the final amount you receive.
Coordinating With Multiple Payers
In some cases, different types of coverage may apply. Health insurance may step in first. MedPay might cover part of the balance. Liability insurance may handle what remains.
This overlap can create delays or confusion in billing. You can avoid problems by keeping records of who has paid, which prevents double charges and confirms you get credit for payments already made. By staying organized, you can make sure each type of coverage is used in your favor.
Car Accident Medical Bills FAQ
Questions about how medical bills are handled after a crash in Colorado are very common, and you likely have a few. Here are answers to some of the most common concerns drivers raise after car accidents:
How does Colorado’s fault law affect who pays my medical bills?
Colorado is a fault state, so the driver who caused the crash, or their insurer, is responsible for covering your medical bills. Until fault is determined, your own health insurance or MedPay may be used to keep treatment moving.
Can future medical costs be included in my car accident claim?
Yes. If doctors believe you will need treatment later, those projected expenses can be included in your claim.
Can hospitals send bills to collections while I wait for settlement?
Yes. Hospitals may send unpaid bills to collections even if you are waiting for a settlement. Staying in touch with your provider could prevent any unpaid bills from being sent to collections.
What happens if my medical bills are higher than the at-fault driver’s policy limits?
You may still be responsible for what the policy does not cover. In that case, your health insurance or MedPay can help with the remaining costs.
Are chiropractic and alternative treatments covered in Colorado car accident claims?
Sometimes. Coverage depends on your policy and whether the treatments are considered medically necessary by the insurer.
Connect With Your Car Accident Lawyer in Denver Today
Important evidence will not be available forever, which is why your car accident attorney in Denver with Manning Herington Accident & Injury Attorneys needs to move fast to protect your interests.
Serving the community since 2009, our firm has built long-standing trust by helping Denver residents through serious car accident claims. Contact us today to schedule a conversation with a team that will explain how medical bills are handled and what steps you can take right now to protect yourself after a crash.
