Medical Payments Coverage in Colorado: What is It and How Do I Get Access to It?

Car accidents are one of the most common causes of injury in the United States, and in 2013, there were 481 fatalities in car crashes in the state of Colorado. For those accidents that aren’t fatal, many victims walk away with injuries that require expensive medical treatment and may demand long-term care.

After an accident, there’s nothing more frustrating and nerve-wracking than not knowing how you’re going to pay for your medical bills. If you’ve purchased medical payments coverage through your car insurance policy, you may have more financial resources available to you.

What is medical payments coverage?

MedPay, as it’s commonly known, is a coverage option on a car insurance policy. In Colorado, insurers are required by law to offer the coverage, but you are not obligated to accept it. If a person does not want med pay coverage, a provision allows them to opt out of it in writing.

Many people believe that if they have health insurance, they do not need medical payments coverage. But this coverage is different from health insurance coverage because it can help pay deductibles and co-pays on your health insurance, and will cover reasonable health costs resulting from the car accident (such an ambulance ride) without having to use your health insurance.

What does medical payments coverage cover?

Medical payments coverage can only be used for medical expenses that are related to the accident, and cannot be used for any preexisting conditions or unrelated medical problems. Below are some examples of services that MedPay can cover.

• Ambulance rides
• X-rays
• Surgery
• Hospital visits and stays
• Trauma care

If added to the policy, the minimum coverage amount required by law is $5,000, which is to be used for payment of trauma-related bills. However, a consumer is welcome to purchase a higher policy option if he or she chooses. Obviously, higher coverage options provide a person with more financial backing in the event than an accident occurs and injuries warrant medical care.

How to File a Claim to Receive Medical Payments Coverage Benefits

Medical payments coverage will cover medical expenses for anyone in the insured vehicle at the time of the accident. It covers the cost of medical expenses for your injuries, regardless of who was at fault in the accident. If you’ve been in an accident, you will have to file a claim with your car insurance company in order to receive your MedPay benefits.

Meanwhile, you can file a liability claim with the other party’s insurer, if that party is to blame for your accident. Medical payments coverage will help pay for damages not covered by the other party’s liability coverage, such as upon reaching the liability policy limits.

Consider Speaking with an Arvada Car Accident Attorney Today

If you’ve been in an accident and have sustained serious injuries, you should seek the counsel of a personal injury attorney. Not only can an attorney assist you in getting the benefits to which you are entitled from your car insurance company, but can also offer you guidance regarding how to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party.

A personal injury claim can yield you more benefits in the form of medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more. If another person has hit you in an accident in Arvada, causing you serious injury, don’t hesitate to take action.

At the Law Office of D.J. Banovitz, we’re ready to take on your case. To get started, call us at 303-300-5060 or fill out our contact form.