Will Medicare or Medicaid pay my doctor bills due to an auto accident?
I was in an auto accident with my sister and nephew back in January. My sister was driving, my nephew in the back seat and myself in the front passenger seat. While driving down the street. This truck come speeding in reverse down a private drive way and slams into us. Anyway… The pip ran out on the insurance (Nationwide) and my pain specialist doctor tells me that my insurance (Medicare / Medicaid) wont cover the remaining balance because its due to an accident.
My lawyer tells me that Medicare or Medicaid will pay for the remaining balance. Is this true or is my doctor trying to pull a fast one?
I live in Kentucky.
The case is still open. I don’t know if a settlement can be reached. We most likely will have to file a suit.
3 Responses
jslinderml
14 Feb 2010
Cathy
14 Feb 2010
If you are saying that the medical portion of your auto insurance has reached its payment limits, then medicare and medicaid should pick up the balance.
Advocate
14 Feb 2010
You should just listen to your lawyer and allow them to handle your case
My reading of the rules seems to indicate its more a matter of the type of treatment than the cause, but I want to be clear that I am not 100% sure of this, the medicare site is rather vague.
It looks like Medicare does not cover pain management for non-chronic conditions, which an accident would fall under. Other medical care may still be covered. Also it depends on what Medigap or other coverage you may have.
It’s possible you may need to sue the original driver to cover/recover those costs.