Does Medicare Pay for Car Injury Bills?

According to Medicare.gov, an individual involved in a car accident where automobile liability or no-fault insurance is involved is entitled to Medicare. Medicare generally pays the car injury bills second, because the liability or no-fault insurance provider must pay expenses first.

Medicare Payments

Doctors or health care facilities can bill Medicare for car injury expenses that have not been paid by the primary payer (insurance company) within 120 days, according to Medicare.gov. The primary payer must repay Medicare for any conditional payments that are made. If an individual receives a settlement from an insurance company, he is responsible for making sure that Medicare is repaid for the conditional payments.

Considerations

Some car injury bills can be denied by the automobile insurance companies. In this case, Medicare pays for the covered services. Injured individuals are responsible for payment on the services that aren't covered by Medicare.

Types of Medicare Coverage

Care covered under Medicare include hospital care, hospice, nursing home facilities or home health care, doctor's services, and physical and occupational therapy. Medicare also covers emergency care, limited chiropractic services, X-rays, splints, casts and other medical supplies, diagnostics and prescription drugs.

References

• Medicare: Medicare and Other Health Benefits: Your Guide to Who Pays First