Drivers in North Carolina may wonder if they should purchase Med Pay insurance through their car insurer for additional protection. While MedPay is not required in North Carolina, it can certainly be beneficial. Below we will dive into the ins and outs of MedPay insurance so that you can make informed choices to keep both you and your family adequately protected in the event you are involved in a car accident.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, contact the experienced car collision attorneys at Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters’, by calling (800) 529-0804 or contacting us online. With over 65 years of collective experience serving North Carolina accident injury victims, Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters,’ has the knowledge and skills required to ensure you receive the just compensation you deserve.
What Is Med Pay Insurance?
MedPay insurance, otherwise known as Medical Payments Coverage, is a kind of optional car insurance coverage available in North Carolina that may cover medical expenses and funeral costs associated with a car collision.
How Does Med Pay Work on Auto Insurance?
MedPay insurance is an optional medical payment coverage insurance available as an add-on to most car insurance policies. This coverage will extend to policyholders and their passengers and will be available after an accident regardless of who is at fault for the collision. In addition to car accident coverage as described above, MedPay insurance coverage may also cover:
- Policyholders or family members whom a driver hits as a pedestrian or bike rider
- Policyholders of family members who were injured while riding in another driver’s vehicle
- Policyholders or family members who were injured using public transportation
- Policyholders or family members who were injured using rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft Policyholders or family members who were injured on their motorcycle after being hit by a car
Med Pay Insurance
Med Pay Insurance Advantages
MedPay payments will be paid to a doctor or hospital directly. You will not have to wait to be reimbursed or for an accident investigation to occur. Additionally, Med Pay Insurance will:
- Not require copays or deductibles
- Cover you in another driver’s vehicle
- Cover you as a pedestrian
- Will not restrict the provider or hospital you use
- Will cover you and your immediate family
What Expenses Will Be Covered?
Med Pay will cover all medically necessary medical bills and/or funeral expenses following a car collision up to the policy coverage limit. Expenses may include:
- Physician Bills
- Hospital Expenses
- EMT/Ambulance Costs
- Acupuncture & Chiropractor Costs
- Physical Therapy
- Imaging such as X-rays, MRIs, CTs
- Short or Long-term Care
- Home Health Care
- Medical Equipment – such as walkers, crutches, braces, wheelchair, breathing equipment, and more
- Prosthetics
- Dentists Costs (If teeth are damaged)
What Doesn’t Med Pay Cover?
North Carolina Med Pay Insurance will not cover:
- Damaged property
- Car repairs
- Expenses beyond the coverage limits
- Accidents not caused by a vehicle
- Expenses unrelated to the collision
Do I Need Medical Payments Insurance?
MedPay coverage is an excellent option for individuals who have either no health insurance coverage or whose insurance coverage requires high out-of-pocket deductibles or copays. Additionally, people may opt to obtain MedPay coverage not to evade potential healthcare costs associated with copays and deductibles but for passenger coverage. Additionally, there are no provisions dictating the type of services or providers the insured injured party can use, as long as it is related to the car accident injury and is under the coverage limit. There are also no annual caps, as can be found with many individuals’ health insurance policies. MedPay coverage is per incident, not per year.
Should I Use Med Pay if I Have Other Insurance?
Even if you have other car and health insurance, MedPay may be preferable as it does not affect any caps you may have with your health insurance policy and may help you avoid significant copays. Additionally, unlike other car insurance policies in which fault must be determined first, which may involve ongoing investigations holding up payment for damages, MedPay will be available directly following an accident. Therefore, it can be beneficial to purchase MedPay insurance and utilize it in the event you are in a car accident, even if you have health insurance coverage and auto insurance coverage.
Will I Need To Pay My Auto Insurance Company Back if I Get a Settlement?
Many MedPay policies give the car insurance company a right to reimbursement for the funds they paid related to your injuries from an accident. However, if you recover compensation from a third party for your injuries, you will often need to reimburse your insurer so that your damages are not “paid for twice.” An experienced North Carolina personal injury attorney can assist you with reviewing your insurance policies and fighting for your right to fair compensation so that you may be left with some proceeds for your pain and suffering and other losses in addition to related medical expenses.
North Carolina Auto Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one have been injured in a car, motorcycle, or truck accident, contact our team of experienced North Carolina personal injury attorneys at Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters.’ With over 65 years of collective experience, our lawyers may be able to help you receive compensation for your lost wages, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and more related to your accident. Call us today at (800) 529-0804 or contact us online to discuss your case with an attorney by receiving a free and confidential case evaluation.
We know how stressful the aftermath of a car accident can be and pride ourselves in being able to take some of the pressure off of our client’s back and allowing them to rest and recuperate while they can rest assured that we will fight tirelessly until we receive the best possible outcome for your case. If we take your case, you will pay no attorney’s fees out-of-pocket, and we will only get paid if we win your case.
