Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Paying medical bills after an injury can be overwhelming, especially while waiting for a personal injury settlement. Fortunately, you don’t have to rely solely on your settlement to cover these costs. There are multiple strategies that can help ease your financial burden.
Understanding your options and working with an experienced attorney can ensure your bills are managed effectively while maximizing your ultimate settlement. At Shulman & Hill, our personal injury lawyers have a proven track record of helping thousands of New Yorkers secure the compensation they deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Options for Paying Medical Bills Before Your Settlement Arrives
Depending on your circumstances, you may not have to depend exclusively on an insurance settlement to pay your medical bills. We recognize that managing medical expenses can be daunting, and while a settlement may seem like the most direct way to tackle outstanding bills, there are alternatives available to alleviate that financial strain. The following are some options to consider:
Utilize Your Health Insurance Coverage
If you have health insurance, use it to cover the initial costs of your medical treatment. If someone else is responsible, your health plan may assert a right of reimbursement (often called subrogation or a lien) against your settlement under plan rules or by law. Your attorney can confirm whether repayment applies and negotiate amounts when permitted.
Negotiate Medical Liens With Healthcare Providers
Doctors want to be paid for their services, but it doesn’t benefit them to push patients into financial hardship. Instead, they may agree to a medical lien, allowing repayment from your settlement. With a lien, your healthcare provider will:
- Delay payment for accident-related care
- Collect directly from your settlement, not you
- Bill the insurer instead of requiring out-of-pocket payment
When seeking treatment, tell your provider you were injured in an accident and have or will file a claim. They can connect you with staff who handle liens. However, always consult an attorney before signing any financial agreements to ensure the terms protect your interests.
Explore Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Workers’ compensation can cover accident-related medical treatment and wage replacement benefits for job-related injuries, regardless of fault. Because it’s generally the exclusive remedy against your employer, you usually can’t sue them—but you may still bring a third-party personal injury claim if someone else (e.g., a contractor or driver) contributed to your injuries. Our team can help you coordinate both paths so bills are paid and your total recovery is maximized.
Workers’ compensation can cover accident-related medical treatment and wage replacement benefits for job-related injuries, regardless of fault. Because it’s generally the exclusive remedy against your employer, you usually can’t sue them—but you may still bring a third-party personal injury claim if someone else (e.g., a contractor or driver) contributed to your injuries. Our team can help you coordinate both paths so bills are paid and your total recovery is maximized.
Get Help From Financial Assistance Programs
According to the , nonprofit hospitals must offer financial assistance programs to help patients with bills, so check if your facility qualifies. For-profit hospitals may also negotiate payment plans, though they might not defer billing. Always consult an attorney before signing any agreement.
Consider Pre-Settlement Funding Options
Pre-settlement funding is a cash advance provided by a third-party company in exchange for a portion of your future legal settlement. It’s a non-recourse option, which means you are not obligated to repay the funds if you do not receive compensation from your lawsuit.
What To Do if Your Medical Bills Are More Than Your Settlement
If your medical bills exceed your personal injury settlement, there are still steps you can take to ensure your expenses are covered. First, remember that initial settlement offers are often low. An experienced personal injury lawyer can negotiate on your behalf to secure the compensation you need to cover your bills. If your settlement is still not sufficient to cover your medical expenses, consider the following options:
- Negotiate with providers: You may be able to negotiate with hospitals and doctors to reduce bills if you pay them in a lump sum. Your attorney can negotiate liens or outstanding balances on your behalf, ensuring you get the most mileage from your settlement.
- Explore financial assistance: This may include government assistance or debt relief programs.
- Check your insurance coverage: Your health insurer may cover amounts exceeding your settlement.
How Our Attorneys Can Help You Navigate Medical Bills and Settlements
Insurance adjusters often start with low settlement offers that don’t cover the full cost of your injuries. Medical bills, lost income, and other expenses can quickly pile up, making fair compensation critical. A personal injury lawyer can help by:
- Explaining how you can pay your medical bills before you receive your insurance settlement or verdict money
- Telling you if and when to accept an insurer’s settlement offer
- Meeting with the insurer’s representatives and negotiating with them for a fair settlement
- Collecting evidence to prove you need all of the treatment you have received and that the insurer’s client caused your injuries in the first place
- Coordinating lien and subrogation resolution (e.g., Medicare/Medicaid, ERISA plans, provider liens) to increase your net recovery
The right attorney has the knowledge and resources to help you get the most money for your insurance claim. At Shulman & Hill, our experienced personal injury lawyers have recovered over $700 million for clients, including economic damages like medical bills and lost income, as well as non-economic damages for pain and suffering.
“At Shulman & Hill, we know firsthand the tremendous financial pressure injuries can place on our clients and their families. Navigating medical bills, lost income, and daily expenses during recovery is incredibly stressful. That’s why we take every case on a contingency fee basis so our clients never have to worry about upfront legal costs. Our mission is to secure the fullest compensation possible, helping ease that financial strain so clients can focus on what matters most: their healing and their future.”
Alex Shulman,
Founding Partner
Let Our Team Help You Seek an Insurance Settlement to Pay Your Medical Bills
Not all insurers give accident survivors what they need on the first try. Shulman & Hill could help you figure out how you can pay your medical bills before you receive your insurance money.
Contact us online or call 212-221-1000 today for a free case evaluation.
