Does Medicare Cover Car Accident Injuries?

If you’ve been involved in a car accident – you might be wondering how your medical bills will be paid. Especially if you’re covered by Medicare.

After all – Medicare is there to help with health care costs for those over 65 and people with certain disabilities.

But when it comes to car accidents – the situation gets a little more complicated.

Let me break it down for you so you understand what you’re dealing with.

Medicare’s role after a car accident

Medicare is a federal health insurance program – and if you have coverage – it canhelp with your medical bills after a car collision. But here’s the catch – Medicare is considered a “secondary payer” when it comes to accidents.

This means Medicare will cover your medical costs only after other payment sources, like your car insurance or the at-fault driver’s insurance, are useful.

What if I get a settlement after a car crash?

If you file a claim and eventually receive a settlement for your injuries from the car wreck – Medicare might want a piece of the pie. If Medicare paid for any of your medical expenses related to the liability – they are legally entitled to recover that money.

This can get tricky – as Medicare will want reimbursement from your settlement. However – there are factors that can affect how much they take. For instance – the amount Medicare paid, your car wreck attorney’s fees – and how much the settlement is can all influence the amount they will recover.

How does Medicare recover its costs?

Medicare’s recovery process is handled through the – Medicare Benefits Coordination & Recovery Center (BCRC). The BCRC identifies when Medicare has paid for care that might be the responsibility of another party – like a driver in a car accident. If Medicare has paid for medical care after a vehicle crash – they may seek reimbursement from your settlement.

Having an experienced Fresno car accident attorney can make this process a lot smoother. Your attorney can negotiate with Medicare to make sure you’re not overpaying.

You’ll need a good Fresno injury attorney who understands the ins and outs of Medicare’s rules – especially if your settlement isn’t enough to cover all your damages.

Medicare parts A and B – what do they cover?

Medicare comes in two parts – Part A and Part B – and each covers different things. If you end up in the hospital after a car crash – Medicare Part A can help cover the inpatient care – including your room, board, and any treatments related to your injuries. But – you might still have to pay a deductible or co-pays.

Medicare Part B covers outpatient care – like doctor visits, physical therapy, or ambulance services. However, there’s a catch here, too – you’ll need to meet your annual deductible – and after that – you will pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for services.

Keep in mind – that ambulance services under Part B usually cover only 80% – leaving you responsible for the remaining 20%.

What if I only have Medicare Part A?

If you only have Medicare Part A – things get a bit more complicated. Medicare will only cover inpatient care – so you’d need to cover the costs of outpatient care like – doctor’s visits, rehab, or therapy yourself.

This means you might have to look for other sources of payment – such as –

Filing a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance

Or contact your private health insurance if you have it

What can you do if you’re not at fault in a car accident?

If you weren’t at fault in the car accident – you may have the right to seek compensation for your –

Medical expenses

Lost wages

And other damages

If you only have Medicare Part A – you could file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. A Fresno truck accident attorney can help you handle this process and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Make sure to keep a detailed record of your medical care and any communications with insurance companies or your attorney. This will help your lawyer build a solid medical case for you and guarantee you get fair compensation.

How to protect your settlement from Medicare’s reimbursement claims

If you worry about Medicare taking a chunk of your settlement – one option to consider is setting up a Medicare Set-Aside (MSA).This special account holds a portion of your settlement to cover future medical expenses related to your accident. This helps ensure that Medicare doesn’t take money out of your settlement for future care.

However, if you’re in a tough spot and can’t cover the medical expenses on your own – it is important to contact a lawyer. A Fresno car accident attorney will fight for your rights and help you deal with the Medicare reimbursement process. The best part? Most of the lawyers offer free consultations.