BE CAREFUL IF YOU ACCEPT A LIEN AND ARE RELYING UPON A
THIRD PARTY INSURANCE COMPANYTO PAY THE MEDICAL BILLS.

Even if your patient has an attorney, the attorney may be inexperienced or may have failed to properly evaluate the claim. There is always the possibility that no money or insufficient funds will be obtained from a settlement or judgment to cover all medical expenses. You should probably arrange to obtain immediate payment from your patient as services are rendered, or you may have to rely upon other insurance coverage for your patient, such as auto medical-pay and/or health insurance.

HAVE YOU INVESTIGATED ALL AVAILABLE MED-PAY COVERAGE?

How often have you encountered the situation where your patient has been the passenger in a vehicle and the driver did not have auto insurance, or did not have med-pay coverage? You should realize that the passenger's auto insurance may be available to pay some or all of the medical bills. Even if the driver had med-pay coverage, the passenger's auto med-pay can be utilized for excess coverage.

Also, what happens if your patient was driving a friend's vehicle? Be sure to submit the medical bills to both the owner's insurance company, as well as to your patient's insurance company. Your patient's policy may be utilized for excess med-pay coverage.

This newsletter is intended to offer general information only and is not intended to provide you with specific legal advice. If you desire specific legal advice, please consult an attorney.

©Kenneth Kroopf 2001